Serenading on the Beach

When Kelsey contacted me with the request to write a song dedicated to her and her husband for their 3rd year anniversary of their wedding day, I was excited to take on such a special project. As a songwriter, I had never had the opportunity to write a song and a story from someone else's perspective. Kelsey gave me her story of her and her husband and I immediately starting writing. The song that came to me came together in a way that I took it in and felt that gave the story justice. 

On Wednesday May 20th I was honored to be waiting on the beach with lit mason jars, floating balloons, and a guitar in hand to serenade them as they embraced one another and listened to the song that I dedicated to them. What a precious moment to celebrate marriage! And what a gift from God!

Here is the story that Kelsey gave to me and what I took from it:

"We met in December 2008. I was 14 and he was 17. A few months before I heard his voice on the phone and knew then that I would marry him someday. I didn't know why or how I thought that, but I did. In December he started talking to my best friend and through her, me and him became friends. After that relationship ended with them, everything started to fall into place. We began to talk to more and more. The first night we talked on the phone we talked for 4 hours. We had our first kiss at the bowling alley in Marianna. He was leaving and we were both pretty shy so he didn't want to ask for a kiss. He turned away and I grabbed his hand and asked if he was forgetting something. He looked around and started feeling his pockets for his wallet and eventually looked up at me with a confused look on his face. I just smiled and it took him a few seconds but he realized what I was asking for silently and he kissed me! He didn't have a car so we had to rely on our parents for rides to see each other. I lived in Sneads and he in Marianna so we only saw each other on the weekends. We were so selfish. We wanted nothing but to be together every second we could. I knew from the moment I saw him that he truly was the one i'd spend forever with. Over the next 4 and a half years we went through so much. So many ups and downs. Not knowing if we would make it. On January 7, 2011 he proposed to me. I was still a Junior in High School so I knew it would still be awhile until we would even think about a wedding. On May 27, 2012, two days after I graduated high school, we got married. The day I had dreamed of since December 26, 2008. It didn't feel real. And the day seemed to last only a few minutes. Two days after that we moved to Ohio so that Kody could start a relationship with his dad (who he had recently met after 19 years). Learning to live together was a bit of a challenge and still is! His dad turned out to be a disrespectful man to his own son and our marriage. Through all the anger and hurt and disappointment of trying to mend such a broken relationship and situation, we always loved one another through thick and thin. Kody and I had seen it all, we've dealt with so many challenges in our life and things that would break the strongest man, and somehow we have managed to push through every bit of it stronger than before and holding on tighter. We are perfect for each other. I remind him to ALWAYS stay positive and keep his head up no matter what the situation, and he keeps me grounded. I cannot imagine  another person on the planet that could handle me and my mess of a life! He's my best friend and my soulmate. May 27th will be our 3rd wedding anniversary. June 26th will be 6 and a half years together. My favorite thing I have seen is the beauty of growing up together and growing together in love."

What a wonderful wife Kody has! What a thoughtful and sweet woman to think of such a surprise. I am excited to see where their marriage takes them and am so happy that I was able to be involved in something like this!

Now that you have an understanding here are the lyrics to the song that I wrote for this happy couple. (The copyright to this song belongs to Mildred aka Aerial Melvin)

          ________________________________________________________________________________

"I've Loved You Always"

So in love, growing up

We had just enough, to never give up

Staying up late, competing with the moon

Just to get a chance to get to know you

I knew it from the start when you kissed my lips

And I held you hand, stuck in the moment

Chorus: 

We've climbed mountains, We've hid in caves

We've ran through deserts

Danced in the rain

We've traveled through the dirt, Promised for better or for worse

I've loved you always

And that'll never change

We said our vows in the month of May

Looking back now I wouldn't change a thing

With you is where I want to stay

Darling please don't give up on me

          ________________________________________________________________________________

Here are some of the shots I was able to capture of the happy couple! Credit to Aerial M. Photography.

     

                                                         

   

                                                                        
 

You can hear my original song called "I've Loved You Always" and watch the video that we took of Kelsey and Kody hearing it for the first time. Spoiler! It's so sweet and romantic!

Watch the video here!

With love,

Mildred

Anniversary Photoshoot - Seth and Savanna

Hi friends! Here is the latest:

I had a great day today taking and editing these photos! Happy one year of marriage Seth and Savanna and I wish you many, many more years of wedded bliss!

 

 

Mommy and Me Phtotoshoot

Hello friends! So I had the pleasure taking Mommy/Daughter photos today for a lovely friend of mine! Meet Hali and Tenley! Aren't they just the cutest?

As Martina McBride would say (or sing):

"In my daughter's eyes, I am a hero. I am strong and wise, and I know no fear. But the truth is plain to see, She was sent to rescue me, I see who I want to be, in my daughter's eyes."

All photos are by Mildred. Please credit if you share, like or are inspired to similar pictures!

With Love,
Mildred

A Christ-Like Christian

Francis Chan states in his book "You and Me Forever," about what it is to be Christ-Like, "We live in a time when Christians need to be told that they are supposed to live like Christ. That's weird. What's crazier is that people actually fight against this notion. Christians have come up with clever ways to explain why the followers of the suffering servant should live like kings. I honestly don't expect you to simply except my (apparently unbelievable) assertion that Christians should look Christ."(Ch. 3 Pg. 65).

In 1 John 2:6 "..whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked". In 1 Cor. 11:1 Jesus told His believers, "..be imitators of me, as I am of Christ". Don't be discouraged that in this day of time that it is harder to be like Christ because it is actually to our advantage as Christians to live in a world and a time such as this. Francis says, "Some believers today wish they could have lived in Old Testament times so they can experience God's power in the temple. Other believers wish they lived during Jesus' earthly ministry so they could speak to Jesus and see His miracles. Yet Jesus said that what we have now is better than either of those options." (Ch. 2 Pg. 53). John 16:7 simply states, "I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you."
We get to live in the best time of all, the waiting time for the Second Coming of Christ! We get to have the Holy Spirit dwell in us and experience a relationship with the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost!

Francis Chan goes on, "Jesus was clear that following Him meant – get this – following Him. The church has put so much effort into inventing a new form of following Christ that doesn't require imitating Him. We teach that even though Jesus allowed His rights to be trampled, we should fight for ours. We teach that even though Jesus lived simply, we have the right to live luxuriously(some prefer the term "comfortably"). Even as we teach that Jesus was rejected by the world, we pursue popularity. Ever wonder how many followers of Jesus would have on Twitter? Or how many "likes" his Facebook post would receive?" (Ch. 3 Pg. 66-67)

So look at your life, not through your own lens but of Jesus Christ. Little or big decisions think about what Christ would do and follow that decision. Would He watch the movie 50 Shades of Grey, would He gossip, would He even sin? It is a struggle against the flesh everyday. But Romans 8:5-11 "for those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the night of the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flash is hostile to God for just not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the bodies dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal body through His Spirit who dwells in you."

Furthermore break the chains of your pride, selfishness, and desire and beliefs that you "deserve" more. "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to what you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." Romans 6:17-18.

And remember, if the world seems against you, God is always for you. "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you... Remember the world that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." John 15:18,20.


With Love,
Mildred
Inspired by the book "You and Me Forever" by Francis and Lisa Chan.

Is Marriage Worth It?

Yes. I am sure that is the answer that you were looking for and now may be quite relieved. But don't stop reading just yet.

Marriage is more that just worth it. It is hard work, it is humbling, it is an adventure, and a experience all at one time. But marriage isn't for you. Marriage is for God. To glorify, honor, and portray Him in the most beautiful light. Is your marriage doing that? If you aren't married yet, are you prepared for your marriage to do that? You aren't just marrying this person to have and to hold till death do you part, no, no, no my friends, it is much, much more.

Are you happy in your marriage? Is it going smoothly, few bumps here and there? Or is it almost too much to bear? What happened to the person you married? Why didn't anyone warn you, that you might fall out of love? But now ask yourself, are you happy with your relationship with Jesus? Because your relationship with Jesus is WAY more important than your marriage. Shocking right? We don't "deserve" a happy marriage. We "deserve" God's punishment cracked down upon our heads, but instead receive grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love. God will never leave, nor forsake you. Are you doing the same for Him? Are you giving Him your all first?

We are selfish creatures. We want the perfect relationship. We become consumed with this other person. We have to show it on social media, otherwise people wouldn't even know! We set aside time for this person, and most of the time put this person at a level right under God because we care about them THAT much. God's still first so that's okay, right?

We want the perfect wedding. The perfect dress for the perfect day, marrying the perfect person, minus or less a few faults of their own(But of course we ourselves don't have any).

We want the perfect marriage. To be the cutest couple, to make the cutest babies, have the perfect jobs, perfect home. To never fight, disagree, or dare I say, get upset. To read books, or attend classes to fix what needs fixing. But what we don't realize, the fixing comes within ourselves. Who wants to have the perfect relationship with Jesus Christ? I do! Do you know that in Heaven there is no married couples? We, as God's people are married to Him, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." -Matt. 22:30.

Do not be discouraged, for God created marriage for here on this Earth for a reason. To draw you closer to Him, to learn, to grow more Christ-like. God does not mean to hurt our feelings that you cannot be with your spouse anymore, but when we are in heaven everything will be different and pure. For the Lord says, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him." - 1 Cor. 2:9. If you are having a hard time dealing with this concept, pray to The Lord, for you need Him right now to fix your heart and your eyes upon Him. He has a plan and a purpose for everything, and though we don't know the reasons now, we will in eternity. You should rejoice, for He has your best interest at heart.

Now reflect on yourself. Are you a true disciple? A devout follower of Jesus Christ? Do you love The Lord with "all your heart, with all your souls, and with all of your mind?" -Matt. 22:37. Even more than your parents, your children, your spouse? Jesus says, "Whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me". -Matt. 10:37. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brother and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple". -Luke 14:26.

This my dear friends, is why marriage is about God, not about you. So drop all of your preconceived notions about marriage and seek God. Flee from your sins and selfish ways and set time everyday for the bible and prayer. Pray to be a good disciple, a fisherman of men. Pray to be a good spouse, changing yourself to be more Christ-like instead of praying for God to change the other person.

Focus all of your needs on The Lord. Your spouse cannot meet them and you, yourself, cannot even meet them! Only God can, and will, if you look to Him before looking to your spouse to meet your needs.

I must warn you: It is so easy to get caught in the day to day routine of life. You must remain steadfast in keeping your focus on God. Everyday refresh your memory and go to The Lord for the renewing of your mind and spirit. Focus to be more Christ-like everyday. This will greatly help your relationship with God, and affect you in other areas of your life like being a husband or wife, daughter or son, mother or father. I tell you this, because it is literally a matter of life and death. You have one life to live, and one chance to get to heaven.

Marriage should bring you closer to The Lord, closer to your spouse. It is such a  beautiful adventure to prepare one another for Judgement hour and even more beautiful to give yourself, and your marriage, to God. Think selfless. Think more Christ-like. I am not saying it will be easy, but I am saying that marriage is worth it!


By: Mildred
Inspired by the book "You and Me Forever," by Francis and Lisa Chan.

[A picture of my husband and I from our wedding day, June 2013]