My parents have never had professional photographs taken, other than at the SEARS Photo Center or our family pictures taken back in the 90’s at church. So when my mom asked me if I would take photographs of her and my dad, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. Mom had already had some practice in front of my camera during her two week trip to visit us here in California, so I knew she could rock it. She had the twirl, the flick of the wrist to create movement in her dress, and the posing down. I just couldn’t believe how much of a natural she was our first time shooting together. So I thought I knew what to expect when I photographed her and my dad, her husband of over twenty-three years. It was priceless and absolutely breathtaking. Seeing their love and giggles as I clicked my shutter made my heart flutter and tears well in my eyes. It wasn’t the same as when she was by herself, her partner in crime was now with her and she came to life even more than I could have imagined.

My mom and dad, Wendy and Charlie as most other people refer to them, started dating when I was just three years old, in December of 1992. My mom, a bad ass chick in her twenties, would go out and watch my dad’s band (No Limit) play on the weekends when I visited my father. She would follow them around to different venues with her girlfriends and swoon over his long hair and drum skills. Little did she know that he was a single dad with a little boy at home, who was just nine months younger than me, and that just a year and a half later we would be a family.

In May of 1994, my parents got married at our small church and they celebrated with their friends and family at the elementary school playground and pavilion near our home. Being a mixed family wasn’t always easy. We had fights. We had some double parenting standards. We had split custody, long days, and dinners at 9 p.m. after soccer practice. We had tears over decorating the damn Christmas tree every year, but we made it. I couldn’t be more grateful for the life and the family unit I have had growing up.

My brother. He may legally only be my step brother, but we know nothing else but being siblings. I don’t remember a time where he wasn’t my little (but much taller) brother. Regardless of genetics, we looked like twins growing up. Regardless of the fights, we became best friends. I don’t call him nearly enough, or see him as often as I want to, but I know that he will always be there for me when I need him and that I can always count on him to be my brother, and the best uncle to my baby girl.

My dad. It wasn’t his job to love me unconditionally, be my soccer coach, come to every choir and orchestra concert, teach me right from wrong, and be a constant in my life when everything else felt like it was crumbling to the ground. Why is that you wonder? Because he is my step dad, but to me, he was the definition of what a dad should be. He taught me how to persevere through every struggle, sing with everything in my soul, and go for my dreams. I had some difficult times being in a split family, but in the end I am so very lucky that I have two dads that love me, and forever appreciate my “step” dad for choose my mom and me out of all the other fish in the sea.

The first time I ever met my dad, it was because I was sick and my mom couldn’t go out on their date night together. So, instead he came over to my grandparents house, where we were living, and he brought me “Beauty and the Beast” and a little stuffed bunny with a “Get Well” tag on its ear. I still have that bunny.

My mom. Well she is why I am the person I am today. She is fierce and full of fire. She is sensitive and so full of love. She is my mom, and although she didn’t have to choose me, she fights for me and loves me with every part of her being,

The reason I tell this whole story is because I wouldn’t have ever had this life without their love story. My brother, our memories, that bunny, they all came to life when my parents fell in love. An although their love isn’t perfect (what love is?), they showed me that true love was possible. They showed me what love after twenty three years and a lifetime of memories should look like. They are my main inspiration for my passion in photography and capturing other people’s love stories.

Thank you mom and dad. Thank you for the life lessons, the challenges, the support, and your love. -Jes