If you follow my child/family portrait page Andrea Ryerson Photography, you have seen this couple before. They have two adorable little boys who I have have the pleasure of photographing before.

I have known Amanda since we were 6. We were assigned to the same teacher for that year, and all the following years through elementry school. (Seriously, how does that happen? There were 4 classes per grade level and we were always in the same one!) Once Amanda and I became friends, we were inseperable. I vividly remember our second grade math class when I could not figure out a silly toothpick problem. Our second grade math class was run as a self-paced curriculum and if we reached a certain chapter by the end of the year, we would skip 3rd grade math and go right into the 4th grade curriculum. I so despretely wanted to do this. All that stood between me and 4th grade math was this toothpick problem. All I had to do was tell my teacher which square was the largest. I pointed to square after square, but I just didn’t understand why I was getting the problem wrong. Amanda saw me struggling and whispered the answer to me when the teacher wasn’t looking. (See, we were devious from the beginning!)

I spent a lot of time with Amanda growing up and there are so many interesting things I can tell you about her. She grew up in an old cheese factory. It was awesome! Her mom painted her (and her brothers) bedroom in the most amazing way! No parent ever let their kids do things like that! We spent a lot of time there running through the sprinkler, eating mustard pretzels (YUM!) and chips with jalepeno cheese. I can remember sitting on the edge of her bathtub and contemplaiting if you should shave with your leg straight or with your knee bent. I have many pictures of us dressed up to go to the 8th grade dance. And I am pretty sure I have some awesome VHS recordings of us as well. (Don’t worry Amanda, I am not digging those out right now!)

After high school, Amanda and I went to college together. First it was UW Whitewater. Her dorm was right next to mine and we were able to spend a lot of time together. After our first year of college, we went off to UW Milwaukee together. At the beginning of the semester, I lived on campus and she lived off campus, but when things got ugly with my roommate, I moved into her house.

Amanda ended up moving to Florida for a while and we lost touch, but she is one of those friends. You know, the ones you can go for months or even years without talking to but when you get back together it is like no time has ever passed.

I am so happy Amanda and Danny have found eachother. I haven’t known Danny nearly as long as I have known Amanda, but he is a wonderful guy who makes Amanda happy. He treats everyone around him with respect and kindness. He has a great sense of humor and can find the fun in even in the most mundane tasks. His eyes light up with love for his son and his fiance.

Amanda and Danny, I am so blessed to have been able to capture so many amazing moments for your family. I can not wait to be a part of your wedding day!

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