Written by Candace on October 31, 2013 | 4 Comments

Our First Date

Back in October of 2004, I had braces and Vitaliy had a unibrow. That doesn’t really relate to the story that much, but I wanted to paint the picture for you.

At that time, we were just friends which may have had to do with the braces and unibrow. But more than likely, it had to do with our very first meeting and Vitaliy thinking I was a little crazy. Anyway, our go-to hangout spot was Border’s on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. We’d either look through photography books together or plays cards.

Vitaliy had taught me a Russian card game called Durak. It quickly became a favorite and we played it all the time. One day we decided to take our competition to a new level and made a bet. Whoever lost the next round of Durak had to treat the other person to dinner. Vitaliy always lost so I knew the odds were in my favor.

A few days later, I found myself on the L headed to China Town. Vitaliy had lost and was taking me to get Korean. I remember being a nervous wreck inside. I could tell that our sweet and safe friendship was beginning to take a turn towards something more romantic which in my mind was petrifying. Though I didn’t feel ready to be in a relationship, I also didn’t want to stop hanging out with Vitaliy. We joked about him losing the bet, but I could tell this was a real date. And for the first time ever I felt nervous around him.

A couple years ago, Vitaliy and I were talking about this dinner. Over the years, we’ve often wondered the date of this fateful night. Then out of nowhere, Vitaliy came across an old receipt from our favorite Korean restaurant in Chicago. I had my doubts, I mean who has a receipt from 9 years ago? Vitaliy does! I shouldn’t have been surprised, he’s a pretty sentimental guy. Sure enough, it was the receipt from our very first date. And that’s when we discovered it was on Halloween.

Along with today being Halloween, it is also the 9 year anniversary of our first date. Vitaliy likes to remind me that it was 9 years ago today that I used chopsticks for the first time. I suppose his romantic sentimental side is a bit selective.

So, Happy Halloween to you! And happy first date to us! Does these mean I get to eat extra amounts of candy to celebrate? I know it does mean we need some kimchi in our life today.

Candace dressed up as Cat Stevens and Vitaliy dressed up as a cowboy

These were our five minute Halloween costumes this year. Can you guess who I am?

Chime in or Share

Written by Candace on October 30, 2013 | 7 Comments

Making Things Happen

Vitaliy and I just took our last foreseen trip of the year and I couldn’t be happier to be home, sleep in my own bed, and get back to a normal routine.

A few months ago, Vitaliy and I tried to decide how to celebrate turning 30. After brainstorming, we mutually decided on attending the Making Things Happen conference. We wanted to start this new decade with a plan and a purpose. And we wanted to make an investment in ourselves. MTH fulfilled both of these expectations.

Since returning home, I have tried multiple times to explain to people what MTH actually is from an attendee’s perspective. And to be honest, I still don’t feel like I have a concrete explanation. Nor do I feel like the ones I’ve given have done it justice. It’s also very difficult to describe all that I feel I gained from attending. The one thing I do know is that this is the first conference I left knowing without a doubt it was worth my investment.

The funniest thing about the conference is that Vitaliy was one of three men out of about 60 attendees. And this is a conference that basically requires transparency and vulnerability. And in a room full of mainly women, there were a lot of tears. A lot. But he rolled with it all and left with everything he hoped to get out of it, and more. I did as well.

And I will leave it at that! Instead of sharing everything I learned, I want to get to doing everything I learned. And I hope it reflects here and encourages all of you.

Big thanks to Lara Casey, Emily Ley, Gina Zeidler, and all the other amazing speakers and volunteers! Making Things Happen is a real gift to so many. I’m happy to be a recipient of your stories, experience and wisdom. Thank you for continuing to give and give.

Making things happen 2013 notebook and Southern Weddings magazine

Chime in or Share

Written by Candace on October 24, 2013 | 2 Comments

Yotam+Angela
Outdoor Art Club Wedding

Vitaliy and I knew we liked Yotam and Angela from our very first meeting.

But we didn’t realize just how much until we joined them for margaritas and Mexican a few weeks before their wedding. They possess the perfect amount of sweetness and sarcasm to fill an evening with love and laughter. We couldn’t wait to photograph their wedding because we knew we’d be in for a fun-filled day. And we were right!

Angela was filled with anxious jitters as she approached Yotam in her beautiful Amy Kuschel gown for their First Look. But with every kiss and caress, Yotam helped to calm her nerves. The two were full of nothing but smiles and excitement within minutes.

Yotam and Angela had a beautiful Jewish ceremony at the Outdoor Art Club followed by an unforgettable reception. Their friends and family proved to be just as fun as they are which made for a really fun party.

Yotam and Angela, thank you for giving us the honor and pleasure of photographing your special day. It was absolutely perfect in every way. And Angela, you were a beautiful bride! We wish you a marriage filled with love and laughter, but I know that’s going to come quite easily. We love you both! Congratulations!