Written by Candace on June 10, 2015 | Chime in

Make Marriage Happen with Lara Casey – Part 2

I’m so excited for this week with Lara Casey discussing marriage.

Yesterday, Lara gave us an introduction to her life, business and marriage. Today she’s sharing an honest lesson she’s learned that might be helpful to other couples just starting their marriages. Who knows, it could even be a reminder or a wake up call for a seasoned couple reading. No matter where you find yourself, we hope it encourages you to make your marriage happen!

I love getting a glimpse into other marriages and hearing what helps them press on together. So, thank you, Lara, for sharing what has been working for you and Ari!

This life is not about us and marriage is not about finding the perfect person to make you happy. There is such deeper fulfillment found in relying on God as our source of joy. We used to think that we had to work hard to make each other happy, and that led to so many arguments and both of us not feeling fulfilled. Now we know that the gift of marriage is to encourage each other to have a closer walk with the Lord — and that inherently makes us closer as a couple and brings immense joy! Whether it’s praying together or for each other, sending a text with encouragement during the work day, sharing scripture, reading a faith-building book together, or loving each other like God wants us to love, choosing to build each other up in faith is so much more satisfying than trying to create temporary happiness.

Photo by Gina Zeidler

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Written by Candace on June 9, 2015 | 1 Comment

Make Marriage Happen with Lara Casey – Part 1

I think it’s true that we are stronger together, whether in marriage, through friendship, or even business. I think it rings true for all human relationships.

As I began to think about the future of this blog and my Make Marriage Happens series, I felt like I wanted to come along side others who have this same passion for marriage as I do. If we bring our voices together, surely our message will be heard louder. The first person I thought of was Lara Casey. She too has a business rooted in encouraging couples in the start of their marriages. With a baby on the way, an adoption in process, and a new book, I emailed her assuming she wouldn’t have the time to contribute. But as always, her generosity seems endless.

Lara, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing with our readers this week. I have no doubt that someone reading this will leave encouraged today. You are a constant inspiration in my life to make what matters happen. And your powersheets and conference have given me the tools to do the hard work of bringing dreams into realities. Congratulations on your new book and baby (possibly babies!) on the way. May God continue to bless you so you can continue to be such a blessing to others.

Without further ado, please meet Lara Casey, read an introduction to her life and business, and how she met her husband Ari. Then come back later this week to hear an honest lesson she learned in marriage and one of her favorite date night ideas.

I went to school for music theatre, was a personal trainer, and I am the Editor-in-Chief of Southern Weddings magazine where our mission is to encourage meaningful beginnings to married life.

I am also the founder of the Making Things Happen Conference, creator of the PowerSheets goal setting system, new author of Make It Happen, and grateful gardener. I know for sure that we were all created for a purpose. I used to feel lost and chased elusive perfection. It ran me into the ground. God is still working on me, but now I know that the things in this world aren’t “it”. To me, making “it” happen means choosing Him. There is endless freedom in that. And if I would have read all of this years ago I wouldn’t have believed it.

I met Ari eight years ago when I was a personal trainer and he was in my hometown of Pensacola, doing his Navy flight training. He came up to me in the gym and asked me for workout advice. We quickly fell in love and eloped to Vegas five months later! Our marriage was a mess in the early years. We were two ships passing, sleeping in separate beds, and chasing all the wrong things in life. Then God started to shake things up. You can read our whole story in my new book. Only God could have made the impossible changes happen in our lives. Our marriage was radically changed as we both began doing things God’s way. Our journey wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Now we know that the impossible is possible with God. He can change anything.

Photo by Gina Zeidler

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Written by Candace on May 28, 2015 | 3 Comments

Garrett & Kimberly
Lifestyle Engagement Portraits

Garrett and Kimberly first met on their community swim team when they were only 6 and 7 years old.

Kimberly recalls having a crush on Garrett, but cooties were still very real so she simply admired him from afar. One year, however, they both won the coveted award and their names were carved side by side on the same plaque. According to Kim, “In my expert 10-year-old opinion, that was fate. We were meant to be together.”

And she was right! Garrett and Kimberly both joined their high school swim team which brought them back together. All of Kimberly’s childhood feelings for Garrett returned. They quickly became friends and began dating. But like most high school relationships, it ended before graduation came around. They went their separate ways for college, but remained friends and occasionally stayed in touch over email.

But after college, they both found themselves back in San Francisco, Garrett attending UCSF for dental school and Kimberly starting her career in healthcare finance. Around this time, Facebook recommend Kimberly as a “friend you should stay in touch with” to Garrett. He sent her a message and they reconnected as friends. And just like that, Kimberly’s childhood dream came back. It was fate – these two were meant to be together.

Garrett spent the next few years trying to convince Kimberly to go on a real date with him, as more than just a friend. It was during a two month sabbatical out of the country, waking up sick and unable to get out of bed that she realized how foolish she had been by rejecting all of Garrett’s invitations. She returned home, they went out for dinner, and the night ended with a kiss. Fate had brought them back together again and for good this time.

We had the pleasure of photographing Kim and Garrett’s engagement session in Danville, the place where it all began. I can’t wait to share the beautiful Tahoe wedding with you next!

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