This seems to happen about once a year and it always chokes me up when it does.  I got a tearful voice mail message from a bride, Erin, whose wedding we photographed last month in Chicago.  Her aunt passed away suddenly today.  The DJ at Erin and Nathan's wedding did the "anniversary dance" and Erin's aunt and uncle were the "last couple standing" for the anniversary dance...meaning they were the couple that had been married the longest of all married couples who attended the wedding. 

The DJ asked the bride's aunt and uncle if they had words of advice for the bride.  The bride's aunt was so sweet...she relayed a heart-warming story about the importance of doing the little things for each other...how one time she walked in on her husband doing the dishes and she felt compelled to check his temperature. 

Erin sent a follow up e-mail to her voice mail message where she thanked me for taking beautiful pictures of her aunt during this "longest married" anniversary couple advice for the newlywed couple.  I know it's just part of my job to capture as many of the special moments on a wedding day...and it pains me whenever I learn of a loss of someone special to a newly married couple. 

So please say some prayers for recent bride Erin and her family during this time of loss. 

Here is a photo of Erin's aunt giving advice to the new couple...may God welcome her to His kingdom as I'm certain she has a special place in heaven.