An Anniversary to Remember

There’s something special about these pictures. I wanted to take them for almost 15 years and I knew I would.

I met James Holmes in 2001. His sense of humor reminds me of the character of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I hope you’re not too young to remember that show. It's just who I think of to describe the funny side of his personality. I embarrassed myself pretty bad when I first met him. I was at an interview to work for Capital One and he happened to be the manager that was selected to do the interview. As part of the interview, I had to complete a customer service phone call, role playing as a Capital One representative. James went into the next room and made the call. I knew I was doing a great job until I closed the phone call with, “Thank you for calling Geico Direct. Have a nice day.” I thought I would shrink into my chair. Wrong company... ugh! I wondered if I messed up to the point he wouldn’t hire me. I had worked at Geico so long, that it just rolled off my tongue when I closed a phone call. When he walked in the room he was laughing. It made me laugh and I apologized. The way he laughed; I just knew it was okay and I got the job.

I don’t think I saw James again for a while, maybe about a year or so. I applied for a new position at the company and got the job. When I found out James was the manager I would be working for, I laughed remembering my only interaction with him. Working with him as my manager was a perfect fit for me. Our work styles and personalities worked well together. He didn’t micromanage and I didn’t give him the need to do so. He was one of the best managers I have ever had in the corporate world. He’s just an all-around cool person; level headed, good sense of humor, focused and easy going. Working there, I met his wife Felesha Holmes. She was quiet and reserved. I didn’t get to know her that well in passing but I knew she was nice. Capital One closed it’s doors in Fredericksburg and relocated to Richmond. I absolutely LOVED my job there. I hated to leave but I just wasn’t up for the commute. I left in early 2004 to pursue opening my own photography business. On my last day, James said, “Maybe you can take pictures for me someday.” I knew he was sincere; and I hoped to have that opportunity one day.

Several months later, I learned that Felesha and James were expecting a baby. I was pregnant myself and excited to find out we shared the same due date. Her son was born the day before my daughter. We ended up in the hospital at the same time so I took a wheelchair ride down the hallway to visit them. That was the last day that I saw the Holmes family. It was December 10th, 2004.

Fast forward to 2019 and I get a message from Felesha if I would be interested in taking their 20th Wedding Anniversary photos. Um..YES!!! I knew that day James said, “Maybe you can take pictures for me someday,” that I would. I knew God would provide the exact right occasion and the exact right time. I just knew and when you wait on God and don’t push things, they come out better than you could have imagined. I patiently waited 15 years. When we had our portrait session, the weather was so beautiful. It was in the dead heat of summer and somehow, we were blessed with such a cool, breezy day. I knew God’s hand was on every detail. When they showed up to our portrait session, I couldn’t believe my eyes. They looked gorgeous! I couldn’t be more honored than to be the photographer chosen to take their 20th Wedding Anniversary portraits. Happy Anniversary James and Felesha! I am so glad I met your family and am grateful for the opportunity to see how your love has grown. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.