If I’ve said it once, I’ve said multiple times: Being around seasoned women just does something to my soul. Sitting at their feet…listening to their stories…absorbing their wisdom…I honestly can’t get enough of it. But being around seasoned couples? Couples like the Hyltons? Y’all…that ELEVATES. MY. ENTIRE. LIFE.

These adorable lovebirds are my friend Felicia‘s parents. I’ve known this girl since middle school (probably even longer!) and she is a force to be reckoned with in her own right. It’s clear her and her brother Adrian’s love of life and pure joy comes from their parents, so when she contacted me to book a session for her parents, I nearly jumped out of my skin with excitement!

It’s something about these two. Everything about them just feels…right. The way they laugh and snuggle…hold hands and steal looks from across the room like they are teenagers. To have that kind of love….where everything and everyone else fades into the background when they’re together….where her face lights up when she’s in his arms….that my dear friends, is truly something special.

It’s hard to believe that even though they’re both from Jamaica, she met him when she was 17 at a McDonalds here in the United States. Talk about a God thing.

“We dated for 10 years because I certainly wasn’t ready for marriage,” she told me. “There were things I wanted to do and experience before getting married.”

And here they are…23 years of marriage and 2 grown kids later, living their best lives. She recently celebrated turning 50 (even though she doesn’t look a DAY over 40) and together, they are passionate about spending time together as a family. But don’t let their love for their children fool you. These two love to travel and having the freedom to do so now that their kids are out of the house is one of the best things about this season of life they are currently in.

One of the things I appreciate most about my clients is that they are always willing to share with me. Together, we create a fun space that encourages vulnerability and transparency. Whether it’s lessons learned about marriage, motherhood or womanhood in general, each client I have sharpens me and Mrs. Karen is no different. During our time together, we connected on all things marriage and motherhood and gotta say, they both were dropping SERIOUS nuggets of wisdom! Here are a few pieces of advice they shared with me:

“The toughest season was my husband working away from home in Philadelphia, Maryland, and Detroit, while we lived in New York. We saw him on weekends and holidays, but we always maintained communication and he always tried to make it home especially for happenings with Felicia and school, when Adrian was a baby. During that time, we learned with strong commitment, constant communication and a solid foundation it will work.”

Capturing Ms. Karen and Mr. Relton was such an incredible joy. To be in their presence and witness the power of their love was so magical. He is INCREDIBLY goofy and she is TOTALLY smitten with him. The wisdom they shared with me about all things marriage, motherhood and growing old will stay with me for the rest of my days. I mean for real…these two are serious #MARRIAGEGOALS.

Mr. Relton and Mrs. Karen, I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to spend time with you two. You may say that capturing me your spirits, grace and beauty is a gift to you, but the truth is you two and your love are the real gifts. Thank you for allowing our passions to collide. Your presence in my life is priceless.