Margo + Gerry: Soul Mates

While most of my photography centres around children and families, moments to document don't stop when children are grown. Themes of love and connection cut across generations and don't lose their importance as we age. When I was contacted several weeks ago by Wish of a Lifetime, an organization that fulfills wishes for older adults, I was so happy to have this chance to tell the story of one wish coming true.

Through their work, Wish of a Lifetime, allows us to connect to inspiring stories and helps to shift the way we talk about aging. I was excited to be able to show the beauty in it and to preserve the moments for the couple I worked with in an honest and personal way.

Margo and Gerry were married 47 years ago in a small ceremony. At the time of their marriage, they could not afford a honeymoon and so, 47 years later, they finally got their honeymoon. The charming Rideau Inn B&B, provided the perfect backdrop for this couple to share some time together. Gerry had surprised Margo at Christmas with a romantic gift - a ring engraved with their names and the words "soul mates" that she proudly showed me. You could see the love and devotion they share for each other in their eyes and their gestures. They know each other through and through and there is such an ease and comfort that seems effortless along with a strong sense of humour that keeps things light. Lasting love, there is perhaps nothing sweeter.

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Documenting Life Beyond Childhood

On the same day that I had a family shoot with a young couple and their little girl, I also had a session with a lovely couple in a different stage of life, both in their 80s and married 64 years. 64 years! Simply amazing considering she wasn't 100% certain of her decision to walk down the aisle. This is a reassuring admission to anyone who has every had doubts or fears about a choice. Taking the leap in spite of that fear can lead you right where you were supposed to be. Even with some medical challenges, his sense of humour and charm have not faded and her fiesty personality has gotten that much bigger over the years.

Seeing this full circle on the same day - a young family starting out and a couple having lived 80+ years was really an interesting contrast. Witnessing routines and perspectives on life at different points in time. Maybe it makes us uncomfortable to go there in our minds - to think about aging, the idea of impermanence and what that may mean. In this case, there was nothing sad about this couple - only grace and an appreciation for a life well lived.

Think about the older generations around you. All the stories that only they can tell to teach you about your history, to help you understand why those around you are the way they are and the life lessons that they know first hand. Sometimes we forget to ask the questions to those that may actually have the answers as we get busy with our lives.

Take some time to hear the stories of the older family members you are lucky to still have. Your life will be richer for it.

Documenting life shouldn't end when the kids are grown up. Photos of childhood and young families are certainly beautiful and childhood presents so many opportunities to capture those stages that go by too quickly. Don't forget to keep telling the stories of your families beyond childhood because just like childhood, those stories are gone before you know it.

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