Megan + Donovan - An Exquisite Evening Wedding at Historic Bowers Harbor Inn, Mission Table - 9/9/23

Chloe Leach October 11, 2023

In 2016, Megan and Donovan were strangers attending different colleges on opposite sides of Michigan. Summer break brought them both to Clarkston, MI, and the same local country club, where they took seasonal jobs at Oakhurst Country Club. During a staff training, Megan caught her first sight of Donovan, and was smitten. Acting in stark contrast to her usual shy demeanor, Megan approached him and offered to cover his shift. They exchanged numbers, which opened the door for conversation to continue. It wasn’t long before they began spending time together outside of shifts. It was a summer romance that swept them both up in its warm embrace.

Life would take them both in different directions over the four years that followed. Both of them continued to date other people, but every relationship lacked that perfect connection they had felt with each other. One night, Megan recalls scrolling Hinge to give the dating app one last shot. Donovan’s name popped up.
”He had been on my mind a lot lately, so I took it as a sign”, she remembers. Two minutes after her right swipe, both of them sent the same message at the same instant - “I still love you”. The very next night, Donovan made a dinner of “Marry Me Chicken” for the girl who almost got away. He texted his mom to let her know that Megan was coming over, and that his plan was to propose in just 6 month’s time.

July 4th rolled around - the same date on which they shared their first kiss four years earlier. In their back yard with their pup Stella happily observing, Donovan made good on his plan and put a ring on Megan’s finger.

The two lovers chose to celebrate their wedding with a small group of their closest friends and family, at Traverse City’s Historic Bowers Harbor Inn. The ceremony took place on the property’s rolling great lawn, overlooking the calm waters of Grand Traverse Bay. The celebrations continued into the evening with a merry candlelight dinner in the Inn’s front room.

Brittany + Donald - A Beautiful Beach Wedding at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, 6/18/23

Chloe Leach July 27, 2023

On a warm summer evening in 2019, Brittany and Donald were introduced by mutual friends over what seemed to be a casual dinner like any other.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, this meeting was far from coincidental. Having discussed their plans at length, these mutual friends had decided that the two would be a perfect match for each other.

Though native to the state of Michigan, Donald was living in LA at the time, visiting home to be with friends and family. As dinner came to a close that night, he mused out loud what a shame it was that Brittany didn’t live in LA. The two had quickly hit it off, with Brittany enjoying Donald’s easy personality and lively conversation. The two exchanged socials and contact info before parting ways that evening, resigned that the 2,000 miles between them meant they might not meet again.

Fast forward to November. The two had lost touch since their meeting. Donald was tagged in a post on Facebook that Brittany commented on, which prompted Donald to send her a text. They continued talking after that, deciding to meet up over the holidays the next month. Sparks flew. Brittany made the trek to LA from Michigan to visit Donald in January, and they took turns visiting one another each few weeks during the next couple of months. March of 2020, during the last half of a visit to LA to meet Donald’s family, the rise in Covid cases was causing widespread alarm, and lockdowns began. Rather than be separated, Donald and Brittany decided to “flatten the curve” together in Michigan for the next two weeks. Two weeks turned into several months, and the two lived together in Brittany’s Michigan bungalow until June. At that time, Brittany downsized her possessions to 2 suitcases worth of things, and relocated to LA with Donald. After three years together, Donald proposed. 6 months into their engagement, they both decided to bypass the big wedding in favor of an intimate beach celebration. In just 30 days, they planned and coordinated the whole celebration exactly as they had hoped.

With Northern Michigan holding a special place in both their hearts, it was their first choice for location. They found their perfect venue at Grand Traverse Resort’s Beach Club. With a picturesque views of East Grand Traverse Bay, Brittany and Donald exchanged vows under the summer sky on June 18th, 2023.

Marina Daisy - A Birth Story

Chloe Leach June 9, 2023

Serene.

There’s no better word to describe the atmosphere at the Bakker farm when I arrived on a warm Wednesday evening in early June. Both Bakker kids sit at the large oak dining table in the late evening sunlight, picking tentatively at some dinner. Dad Ben stands beside the table, hands folded in watchful repose, punctuating the silence with occasional soft encouragements for the kids to “take more bites”.

The familiar tones of Lindsay’s good-natured laugh drift from an upstairs bedroom, carrying that confidence and contagious joy that I’ve come to associate with my vibrant friend. Upstairs, I find Lindsay standing in the center of the house’s master bedroom, hands on her round tummy and swaying gently. Three midwives along with Lindsay’s mother are gathered in the room, faces all aglow with smiles. The mood is light and anticipation hangs thick in the air.

Over the next several hours, Lindsay labored steadily and peacefully. Contractions increased in frequency, but dropped off again around midnight. Heavy fatigue had set in, making the rest between the 7-minute contractions a much needed reprieve for Lindsay. The midwives took turns attending to her while the rest of us slept in brief increments; one on the floor, a couple propped halfway up on the couch, eyes fluttering open every few minutes to assess the status of things. Labor picked back up around 2am, and Marina made her triumphant entrance shortly after 3:30am, to a small crowd of adoring fans.

Chelsea + Adam - Til Death Do Us Part

Chloe Leach December 16, 2022

When two raven-hearted souls become perfectly matched, delightfully grim lovers: A fairytale.

Middle Earth Meets Northern Michigan

Chloe Leach October 19, 2022

“He told them tales of bees and flowers, the ways of trees, and the strange creatures of the Forest, about the evil things and the good things, things friendly and things unfriendly, cruel things and kind things, and secrets hidden under brambles.”

— J. R. R. Tolkien

When West-Coast lifer Mecauley contacted my earlier this year, she spoke of her fascination with forests and their mythical nature, which resonated deeply with me. She explained that she and her fiancé Josh were planning a visit to Michigan from California during autumn. Then she told me something that had me simultaneously shocked and heartbroken: "Living in California my whole life, I've never NOT been in a drought or fire. I’ve never even seen a forest."

Once I had taken a moment to process the foreign concept of living without the woods being a central point of restoration, renewal, and inspiration in everyday life, I realized the incredible opportunity before me; I was about to become a guide into a whole new mythical world for this couple. Over the next few months, Mecauley and I spoke often about her excitement for this revelatory adventure. She gave me complete freedom with her vision, and I knew just the place - Legendary Empire Bluff Trail. This entire week has been marked by gale force winds, hail, and torrential rain, in typical Northern Michigan fashion. Not to be dissuaded, we seized on an opportunity between storms to embark on our epic adventure. And, well....photographs speak volumes more than I could tell you about how magical this adventure was.

Maddy + Phil - A Romantic Wedding on Old Mission Peninsula - 8/6/22

Chloe Leach October 4, 2022

It is plain to see, Maddy and Phil are a match made in heaven. From the first moment I met them, sitting on the lawn of one of Traverse City’s many eclectic eateries, enjoying some craft brews after a full day of wedding preparations, it was clear that they had that magical kind of chemistry that photographers dream about. We had a great time that evening, discussing everything from their lives Columbus, OH, to their vision for the fast-approaching wedding day, and their plans for a whirlwind European honeymoon.

August 6th arrived, warm and sunny, as if exactly pre-ordered to perfection. The atmosphere in the bridal suite was thick with hairspray and anticipation, as a radiant Maddy wiggled into her exquisite lace gown and did her best to quell her nervous jitters. Phil was every bit as excited as he waited on his bride. From their tear-filled first look (which gave us all butterflies), to the jam-packed dance floor late into the evening, the whole day was nothing short of magical. Here’s a little peek at the day’s celebrations, as seen through our lenses.

Venue: The Peninsula Room, Traverse City, Michigan

Stylist: Whittney, Team Hair + Beauty

Jordan + Tyler - A Wedding at Mackinac Island's Mission Point Resort - 8/12/22

Chloe Leach September 30, 2022

The year was 2018. During a charity event in Northern Michigan, two local ladies met for the first time. This connection would set events in motion that would culminate in the wedding of their two family members only a few years later.

After much conversation that evening, Jordan’s aunt and Tyler’s mom had put their heads together to set the kids up on a blind date. Jordan had just recently finished law school in Chicago and had moved back home to study for the Michigan bar, while Tyler had put down roots in Northern Michigan, purchasing a house and establishing himself in the family business. Jordan and Tyler agreed to meet for drinks one late December evening downtown Traverse City, only to discover that they weren’t total strangers after all. The two of them had been acquainted in high school, when Tyler dated one of Jordan’s friends. As their conversation continued into the night, Jordan found herself happily losing track of time - and drinks, as Tyler noted with some amusement. The two of them were enjoying each other's company so much, in fact, that 2am came before they knew it. The end of that night was just the beginning for Jordan and Tyler.

55 months of late dates and deep conversations later, on the lawn of Mackinac Island's famed Mission Point resort, Jordan would walk down the aisle to meet Tyler, surrounded by an outpouring of emotion and support from family and friends.

The day's festivities began on the great lawn of the Resort with shimmering Lake Huron as the backdrop, and continued into the warm evening on the Promenade Deck, overlooking the water as the sun sank into the pale pink horizon. Mackinac Island's idyllic charm was evident in special touches throughout the day, from complimentary carriage transportation for guests, to the nostalgic smells and sounds in the air.

Venue: Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island

Hair & Makeup: Lakeside Spa and Salon, Mission Point Resort

Coordinator: Jen Lehman

A Summer Night on the Farm with the Bakker Family

Chloe Leach September 8, 2022

“Oh to be a child again.

Covered in grass stains and grazes,

hair unbrushed with daisies in the knots, no concept of my own physicality,

half way up a tree and eating an apple around my missing tooth.

To be unabashedly messy,

to be unashamedly hungry,

to be healthy and hearty and lean

and covered in bruises and full of love and sun warmed strawberries.

To feel time stretch forever,

only flying when I fall into books.

To love summer once more,

and her insects and sweat.”

Angie + Niles - A Farmhouse Wedding in Northern Michigan

Chloe Leach July 27, 2022

“It was like we had met before.”

Angie describes the moment she and Niles first connected in 2016 as a feeling of instant familiarity and comfort, something which doesn’t come easily to the reserved, dark-haired beauty. At the time, Niles was living at the opposite end of the country in sunny California. While on a visit to Traverse City, he and Angie found themselves spending time with a group of mutual friends. It didn’t take them long to make the relationship official, despite the distance between their homes. For a months, Niles was flying to Michigan on the weekends to make the most of every minute with Angie.

It was clear to both of them within those first six months, they had found exactly what they were looking for in each other. Fast forward to summer of 2022: With a pandemic and six years of life and love shared between them, Angie and Niles finally arrived at their long-awaited wedding day. Under the shade of trees on a breezy June day in Northern Michigan, the two exchanged vows in front of a small crowd of beaming friends and family. The perfect, idyllic beginning to mark the rest of their lives together.

Hannah + Lucas - A Bay View Wedding, 6/17/22

Chloe Leach July 7, 2022

One mild evening in November 2017, new-girl-in-town Hannah stepped into the buzzing atmosphere of a local bar for a happy hour networking event in Charlotte, NC. Eager to make some new connections and expand her circle in her new city, Hannah had high hopes for the evening’s interactions.

There was a man in the crowd who caught her eye halfway through the night, but her internal dialogue immediately got to work casting doubt on her chances: "Okay, he’s good looking. But I'm sure he is married or has a girlfriend." Turns out, she was wrong about this. In fact, Hannah was already on this man’s radar. Lucas had heard about the lovely Hannah from a coworker of his, and was looking forward to making her acquaintance just as much as she was his.

As soon as Lucas and Hannah were introduced, the spark was ignited. Fellow engineers and avid sports enthusiasts, the two of them had no shortage of things to talk about and bond over. The next three weeks passed in a blur, with Hannah and Lucas sharing several dates and only finding more to love about each other by the day. Hannah went home for Thanksgiving that year. Over excited conversations and sharing of photos from her recent adventures with Lucas, Hannah mused, "I think I'm going to marry this guy." That January, Lucas took her home to Johnson City to meet his family. Hannah recalls feeling a strong sense of belonging, and was immediately treated as part of the clan. Both families became tightly knit over the next three years, as Hannah and Lucas’ bond deepened. Lucas proposed on February 11th of 2021 in Marathon Key, FL – Hannah’s happy place.

Given Hannah's childhood spent in Bellaire, MI, and Lucas' newly acquired affinity for the region that Hannah had shared with him, the two decided that Northern Michigan would be the ideal place to begin their married lives together. Of all the venues they toured, it was the sweeping views of Grand Traverse Bay atop the hill at Gallagher Farms that captured their hearts. "It embodies everything we love about Northern Michigan," Hannah says. "We knew our friends and family would be just as in awe as we were." I think the word "awe" describes this magnificent day perfectly.

Caterer: Catering by Kelly's

Band: Tortuga Shades (Austin, TX), Tunes by T (Okemos, MI)

Florist: Melissa Walker

Hair/Make Up: Salon Renewal

Tina + Matt - A Christmastime Wedding at Assumption Greek Orthodox

Chloe Leach December 29, 2021

It was 2009, and bright-eyed social butterfly Tina was enjoying her 22nd year to the fullest, frequenting parties and public outings with friends whenever the opportunity arose. She began to notice a handsome, sandy-haired stranger appearing in her social circles. Matt's good nature and easy charm made a quick impression on Tina, and she was curious to get to know him better. During their first conversation one evening while on the town with friends, Tina mentioned her Greek heritage to Matt, who proceeded to wow her with his in-depth knowledge of Greek history. If Tina wasn't hooked before, this was the decisive moment.

The two made their relationship official in 2015, and the adventure continued with frequent bike rides, family game nights, and various sundry adventures together. On Christmas night of 2020, Tina's favorite day of the year, Matt asked her to spend the rest of her life by his side as his permanent adventure partner.

December 4th, 2021 was a sunny winter day that melted into an evening filled with shimmering Christmas decorations, twinkle lights, and glowing candles: Just the way Tina had always dreamed. Here's a peek at the day's celebrations with one of our favorite crews to celebrate with.

Amanda + Josh - When Worlds Collide - 10/23/21

Chloe Leach December 2, 2021

It’s hard to know where to begin with beautiful stories like this one. When you’re given the honor of documenting the most pivotal and intimate moments of someone’s life for many years, their story becomes an integral part of your own. I’ve been fortunate to follow Amanda’s journey closely throughout our ten-year friendship, and I treasure the bond we have as a result. Being acquainted with her background, her struggles, and her golden heart made it that much sweeter to watch her step into her own incredible happily ever after.

It was 2019. After ignoring repeated Facebook friend suggestions for a stranger named Josh with mutual friends, Amanda gave in to curiosity and clicked the “add” button. Hardly any time passed before Amanda got a message from Josh, curious to know if they’d met before. When Amanda responded that they hadn’t actually met, Josh replied that he’d like to change that. So meet they did, just a few weeks later. He invited her for a tour of the brewery where he was working. Remembering that night years later, they both distinctly remember how it felt to catch sight of each other for the first time from across that crowded room. They describe a strong sense of knowing. “It was magnetic,” Amanda says. “I actually swore out loud because I felt it so strongly.” Josh, for his part, was mesmerized instantly. From that day forward, the two of them spoke daily and spent every possible moment together. Since both Amanda and Josh are Scorpios, it became a running joke among their friends that their joining forces would “make the world explode”.

A few months into their whirlwind romance, the pandemic struck, and the landscape of the world changed. Josh moved in with Amanda to spend quarantine together, and they crammed what felt like five years of dating and getting acquainted into only five months’ time. Their kids became the best of friends, and the two families melded effortlessly into one. “It felt just like home.”

In early spring of 2021, Josh reached out to me with a covert plan. He and Amanda were planning to get matching “Scorpio squared” tattoos in April. But he had a bigger goal in mind: To amend his tattoo’s design slightly and use it as marriage proposal. I would volunteer to photograph their tattoo process under the guise of using the photos for my own photography project, and that way my presence wouldn’t be suspect. On April 17th, I met up with the two of them at O’Hana tattoo parlor. Amanda had her tattoo done first, and Josh followed. They both kept their tattoos covered until the end, when they would both show them to each other at the same time. It was at this moment that Josh got down on one knee and asked Amanda to be his wife. The answer was, of course, a tearful and resounding, “YES”.

We all knew that the wedding day would be magic, but none of us were prepared for the absolute wonder of it. When we arrived at the venue early that afternoon, deep storm clouds contrasted the fiery autumn colors of the surrounding trees, lit up by shafts of sunlight from the opposite end of the sky. Rain came and went at the most ideal times. Just as the ceremony came to a close and Josh and Amanda took their first steps as husband and wife, the sky unleashed a bevy of glimmering hail into the warm light of the evening sun, and a stark rainbow arched overhead. It seemed that the world did indeed explode that day, in the most unlikely and lovely way possible.

Danielle & Luke - An Autumn Wedding at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

Chloe Leach November 26, 2021

Danielle and Luke share a kindred warmth of spirit that is magnetic. This was evident from our first meeting one frigid February day, when we spent an afternoon exploring the icy pier along Grand Traverse Bay. Nearly four years earlier, the two met while working at U of M. At the time, Danielle was a postdoctoral fellow, and Luke was a staff psychologist. The following year, Danielle was hired into the same position, landing them a shared trauma shift on Fridays, and opening the door for the two of them to spend time with colleagues outside of working hours. Mutual respect quickly grew into friendship, and an alternating volley of pranks and practical jokes solidified their bond.

In the fall of 2018, after a lively discussion about scary movies, Luke and Danielle made plans for their first solo date: Watching "Hereditary" together. That was to be the first of many dates to follow, but the pair attempted to keep their romance incognito at the workplace. Years later on their wedding day, colleagues would joke that Danielle and Luke were the only ones to think their love was a secret; "We are all literally experts in human behavior. You weren't fooling anyone."

October 9th: Just over four years after their first meeting, Danielle and Luke shared vows under a sunny October sky at the Grand Traverse Resort, and danced the night away with the ones dearest to them. The celebrations wove in elements of Danielle's Lebanese heritage, which made for an absolutely electric reception atmosphere. We could relive this day again and again!

Fawn & Adam - A Woodland Wedding at Crystal Mountain Resort, 9.25.21

Chloe Leach October 21, 2021

There was a peculiar magic in the air on this idyllic September day; The sort that awakens the imagination, inspires childlike curiosity, and blurs the line between fantasy and reality. A fitting atmosphere for two long-time lovers to begin a new chapter in their story.

Two souls as different as day and night, Fawn and Adam have proved the perfect compliment to one another these past eight years. Amid the frequent pursuit of adventure in the great outdoors, movie marathons into the wee hours of the morning, and their common penchant for great fantasy tales, the two have found many a shared passion to unite them. But all of this is happily incidental. Fawn defines their bond in simple terms: “We’re each other’s home.”

On September 25th, beneath a serene canopy of trees and surrounded by their family and friends, Fawn and Adam celebrated that perfect home they have found in each other. Here’s a little glimpse into the magic of that day.

Alecia + Danny - Wedding at Starry Night Barn, 6/5/21

Chloe Leach June 23, 2021

I met this intrepid couple in 2019, and instantly knew I was stepping into an unforgettable story. What I didn’t know was that Alecia would become a dear friend and supporter over the course of the coming two years as we navigated a pandemic, the death of a sibling, a tumultuous election, social drama, and the eventual postponing of the momentous event that brought us together in the first place.

Alecia and Danny are their own brand of awesome, and their individuality shines through in everything they put their hands to. Their one-of-a-kind wedding day was certainly no exception, melding their Korean and American cultures with vibrant whimsy. From the bride’s custom blue gown (only the first of her two dresses) to the painstakingly hand-painted duck favors at each place setting, the whole affair glowed with thoughtful significance. Their western ceremony was followed by a beautiful Korean Pyebaek ceremony, and the celebrations lasted long into the warm June night.

Rewinding 6 years: Alecia and Danny first connected on Tinder, and found an instant bond. Danny’s reserved disposition was a distinct but perfect contrast to Alecia’s vivacious personality. Alecia mentioned an appreciation for the show “Bones” in her Tinder bio. In Danny’s first message to her, he asked if she might be the Booth to his Brennan. “Considering most guys aren’t this well thought out,” Alecia says, “I was impressed.” Their first date was on March 1st, 2015, and it was kismet. Due to their opposite work schedules, time together was scarce but sweet. Only two weeks after that first date, the two of them made the decision to move in together. “It was impulsive and completely insane, but the best decision we ever made”.

And so began the love story that would culminate in the beautiful celebration of June 5th, 2021: A treat for the eyes, and a joy for the heart.

Special thanks to Dragonfly Event Design, Peace, Love and Little Donuts, Third Coast Bakery, Executive Sounds DJ, and Field of Flowers.

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Courtney + Chris - A Celebration of Blessings - March 26, 2021

Chloe Leach May 4, 2021

2018 marked Courtney’s senior year at Wayne State. Passionate about pursuing a career in medicine, she was resolved to stay focused and not to get attached, since she knew that her schooling might require relocation. As she’d soon learn, the Lord had his own plans.

At the time and not too far away, Christopher was pulling long hours as an electrician, with plans to move out West and live out of a van while pursuing his love of rock climbing. He was considering the possibility that marriage might not be in God’s plan for him. It was on a rare day of leisure that the two of them found themselves at the same golf course, Courtney with her brother Adam, and Chris with a friend of Adam’s. The four of them struck up a conversation briefly. Chris quickly took notice of the blonde beauty, but Courtney’s mind was still on the golf game at hand. Months later, divine appointment would have them crossing paths again, this time at a mutual friend’s euchre party. Chris bolstered himself and asked Courtney to join him for a round of golf that weekend. By the time Sunday rolled around, Courtney had rethought the whole thing. So when Chris texted her to confirm their meeting, she replied simply, “I’m busy with apps.” The response still stings Chris to this day, despite things ending very much in his favor! Months passed, and it was clear to Courtney that Chris had withdrawn his interest after that last exchange. She realized, with a disappointment that surprised her, that she may have burned that bridge permanently. When they saw each other at a Christmas party, Courtney held out to see if Chris would approach her again, but she quickly found that she needed to take the situation into her own hands. The following day, she sent him a message on Facebook. “I told him I thought he was pretty great, and I wanted to get to know him.” The rest, as they say, was history.

Despite their extremely different personalities, the two of them found an instant bond on their first date. Courtney quickly fell in love with Chris’ care and attentiveness for her. With the support of their tightly knit families, the two continued to deepen in their love and admiration for each other as they sought God’s guidance over their future.

During 2020, amid a pandemic and a whirlwind of big life changes, including preparing for a move to the Caribbean for Courtney’s schooling, she and Chris set about planning their wedding. The early spring day itself was a flurry of excitement, gratitude, and love. “We both see God in the details of our life”, Courtney says. “We are so grateful He has brought us miraculously together.”

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Wisdom in Portraits: Carol Young

Chloe Leach March 21, 2021

“Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.”

On the day of our visit, Carol greets me at the door with a smile, dressed to the nines in a coordinating sweater and skirt duo complimented with accents of thoughtfully placed lace. Come to think of it, “thoughtful” is a perfect word to describe this classy lady of a bygone era. We had been corresponding by email for about a month before this, while Carol was visiting family out of state. She had expressed a mix of curiosity and gratitude when I asked if she’d be willing to be a subject for a new portrait series I was working on. Her only request was that we coordinate our session date with her hairdresser, and that I give her time to get through the backlog of mail that would inevitably be piled up upon her arrival. I received the report a day after she returned home, “290 pieces of mail!” I follow Carol into the house as she begins her tour, weaving in bits of her life story as she points out portraits and heirlooms. Any mystery surrounding her poised disposition quickly departs. Carol was born into a world very different from mine, a world where self-sacrifice and self-discipline were traits necessary for daily life. A lifetime of rising to the occasion has produced a grace in this lady that is far heartier than her slight frame would suggest.

Carol was born in December of 1926, the eldest child of Charles and Mabel Schermerhorn. She would watch her parents weather the Great Depression in Detroit in her early years. Her father had worked for the city of Detroit, up until the point it went bankrupt in the historic crash. Her family relocated to Flint for work when Carol was in first grade. She had begun playing the piano a couple of years before, and her parents made sure to bring the piano with them so she could continue her studies. She remembers sitting in middle school Latin class, just days before her 15th birthday, when the announcement was made that the US had entered World War II. By the time she turned 16, rations were being imposed on the valuable commodities of meat and gasoline. Because gasoline was limited to 4 gallons a week per family, the luxury of driver’s ed was out of the question at the time.

Carol recalls the somber atmosphere that pervaded her world during those years; Hearing of the air raids in Britain, and the devastation happening in Europe. The tension even spilled into the atmosphere at church, when the pastor would announce from the front each Sunday which boys had been drafted that week. For years, her social circles disproportionately female. As the boys began returning home after the war, they were quick to pair off with a girl to get married and start a family, making up for lost time. At this point, Carol was attending Detroit’s Wayne University (that would later become Wayne State) and studying to become a teacher. “My mother told me if I wanted to go to college to get an education, fine. But if I wanted to go to college to get a husband, I could forget about it.” Carol kept her sights trained on completing her degree. By age 23, Carol had a list of reasons why she thought she would never be a wife, one of these being her “advanced” age. Seeing my eyebrows raise at this, Carol pauses to smile. “I know, it was quite different back then. People married young and started families young.” Though her faith had always been central to her life, Carol says that attending university challenged that foundation in a way she did not expect. “Not that it made me doubt my beliefs, but I had to learn to stand firm and have an answer for these things.” Surrounding herself with other Christians became vital to remaining grounded in an environment hostile to her faith. Carol began attending Intervarsity group at Wayne, one of the earliest chapters of the Christian student group that still exists on many campuses nationwide. It was here, when she least expected it, that she met the man who would become her husband of 51 years. Carl Young was 8 years Carol’s senior, but one year behind her in his studies because of his years serving in the army. Carol gets a slightly dreamy look in her eye as she reminisces about the love of her life. “The Lord brought us together in a wonderful way.” Carl proposed in 1949. He had intended to give her the ring on his birthday, but forgot, and had to settle for the day after. “He said if I married him, I’d always be Young. The day he proposed, we were at a church service together. Afterward, he told me he had a question to ask me. ‘How do you think I’d fit into your family?’ And I said, ‘just perfectly!’”. And that was that. As they began wedding preparations, they started a practice that would be the foundation for the rest of their lives together. “We would pray together, before we were married, and all throughout our 51 years together, to seek the Lord’s guidance in every area of our lives.”

In August of 1950, Carol graduated with her degree, and married Carl a few days later. She laughs, “I got my master’s and my Mrs in the same week!” By the way, her wedding gown is currently showcased in a museum. When I ask how that makes her feel, her face lights up. “I love it! It made me so excited that people can enjoy that dress!”

She and Carl lived a full, vibrant life together, and raised four children. They were both teachers with a shared passion for both education and music. Carl was a band teacher and played the tuba. Worship and music always went hand and hand for the couple. “Carl would quote Psalm 150:6 before he played. ‘Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.’ Then he would say, "My tuba and I are going to praise the Lord.’” Having lived through both the Depression and the Second World War, the young newlyweds were no strangers to hardship and the necessity of reliance on God. I ask Carol if there were any particularly scary times in her life. After a few minutes of thoughtful silence, she says, “I wouldn’t say scary. Just hard situations. Our second daughter became diabetic at age ten, and she went to be with the Lord in her forties.” She smiles with the emotion of a thousand bittersweet memories in her motherly eyes. “I always told her she kept me close to the Lord.”

In the years after their children were grown, the couple spent a great deal of time traveling together. Some of these trips were just to explore, but some were for the purpose of connecting with and assisting in the work of missionaries throughout Europe, China, and Japan. Carol remembers these times with immense fondness, and she keeps a little shelf of her global souvenirs in her room where she can reflect on those memories daily. “Everything is new and special when you’re traveling. Everything is an experience.” She can’t tell me what her favorite place is, because she can’t choose just one. But oh, how she cherishes those adventures spent with her husband.

As we admire the beautiful painting of her and Carl that she received as a gift for their golden anniversary, I ask her, “So what’s the secret? What’s your advice for couples who are working their way up to that golden anniversary?”

“Do things together.” She says simply. “Not just the big things; Do your taxes together. Make plans together. And don’t get distracted by material things. Remind yourself of the things that will matter, even after you’re both gone.”

Wisdom in Portraits: Glenn Meteer

Chloe Leach March 2, 2021

"Hiya, red!" Glenn Meteer greets me with the confidence and gusto of a man in his twenties, despite his impressive 96 years. It's a bright but chilly January day, and he is perched by the window at a high top table at a rustic little café in Maple City, a favorite hangout of his. He's just finished his morning errands with his daughter, Jo, and they're sharing an early lunch that I've been kindly invited to join. He has a wry twinkle in his eye as I approach, and I can already tell that I'm in for a fair bit of good-natured ribbing today. I offer my hand to shake his, and then join him and Jo at the table. "A naked Philly!" He exclaims to Jo. It takes me a moment to realize that he's talking about his lunch order. "With extra onions!" Jo nods with a smile, "I know, your usual. I'll be sure to remind them about the onions."

Glenn is a father of 5, grandfather to 12, and great-grandfather to 15. He is a life-long farmer and the proprietor of a sawmill here in Maple City, which he built on his property over a decade ago and continues to run. He has spent his whole life in this rural area of Northern Michigan, and has seen the landscape evolve, along with his own family. His proudest life accomplishment? "That beautiful Irish girl I married", he beams, without hesitation. He's bursting to tell the story, and it starts pouring out of him without prompting. In the 40s, there were dances on Saturday nights at the Thompsonville Town Hall. It was one of these summer nights that he first laid eyes on the love of his life, Shirley. "It was square dance night", he recalls. "I was in the front of the line. The first two partners I had, they didn't swing so good. But when I got to Shirley, well! That girl could dance!" At this, Jo nods with an approving smile. "To watch the two of them dance....was like watching two people floating." she says. Glenn continues. "So another boy tried to cut in. He says, 'hey, she's my partner!' And I says, 'she was your partner.'" And that was how the two became inseparable. "When we were out there dancin', it was like she was the only other person in my world. We wore holes in the soles of so many shoes, I couldn't even tell ya." I ask Glenn how he got that girl to fall for him. "Dancing. Not drinkin'." He said simply. Shirley had a lifelong distaste for drinking because of her own father, and wanted no part of it in her life.

The two lovebirds married in May of 1951 and spent a good, full lifetime by each other's side. Dancing together was central to their lives for most of that time, as long as Shirley was physically able. She passed away in 2014, only a few days before their 63rd anniversary.

After our lunch at the café, I follow Glenn and Jo up the road to the Meteer farm. I get the grand tour of the barns and workshops and sawmill where he has spent his nearly century-long lifetime. He points out an old wood farmhouse on the property, overgrown with vines and bushes. It's the farmhouse he was born in back in March 1925. The house hasn't been inhabited for several decades, but it stands there still, untouched, a testament to the many generations of his family who have lived on this same land.

Though he may have lost his beloved dancing partner, Glenn shows no signs of slowing his pace. With 15 great grand kids to entertain, there is never a dull moment. And while his feet don't move quite as fast these days, there's still plenty to keep that quick wit and those weathered hands busy until he and Shirley are reunited.

Wisdom in Portraits: The Indomitable Dorothy McCormick

Chloe Leach February 16, 2021

I first met her nearly 15 years ago at the Grand Traverse Resort, when she would come in for her regular swims and water aerobics throughout the week. The first thing that struck me about Dorothy McCormick was her magnetic spunk and sharp wit, and a outrageously unabashed sense of style that makes her stand out in any crowd. It's always a good day when I see Dorothy blow through the doors of the health club on a winter day, fuzzy white cossack hat bobbing as she makes her way to the pool with that usual confident spring in her step. On any given day, you can expect to see Dorothy in a lush fur and string of pearls, her light blue eyes shielded by a pair of massive, starlet-esque shades. The woman is a legend in her own right.

I knew from the moment I met her that she and I would be kindred spirits, so I was incredibly excited when she agreed to let me photograph her. Since my goal was to capture her spirit honestly in these photographs, I wanted to first understand what makes her tick. To hear her tell her story. It’s a really intimate experience to photograph someone candidly in their home, so it helps to approach with open ears and fluid expectations. On the day of our visit, Dorothy welcomes me into her airy condo with a warm hug, and we sit down in her kitchen together to a wheel of scrumptious looking baked brie. I quickly discover that Dorothy is very transparent person. Her view of the world is one of knowing optimism, and she looks back on her life with a sense of gratitude that is palpable in her words. As she pours me a glass of the local white that she picked up especially for my visit, she tells me that she was excited for the excuse to grab a bottle, since she’s given up drinking by herself these days. When her husband Bill passed away almost two years ago, dealing with the loss and loneliness was easier managed with a drink or two. Before she realized, her coping mechanism had become its own pitfall. “The grief just overtakes you. It’s like a frog in boiling water; It was so easy to go down that spiral without even being aware of it.” Her breaking point came one day when her oldest granddaughter was visiting. Dorothy blacked out after her second or third hummer on an empty stomach, and woke to find her granddaughter shaking her and calling out to her, a look of sheer panic on her face. Recounting that look of fear, fear that she herself caused her precious granddaughter, clearly pains Dorothy. It was a harsh wake up call for her, and she resolved that it would never happen again. “It’s a very common struggle for people when they lose a spouse,” she says earnestly. “If you don’t get a hold of yourself, if you don’t decide that you want to go on with your life, you can easily follow your spouse into the grave in no time flat. And I don’t want that, I want to be here for my kids.” Since that day, she spends time with friends in her neighborhood and church who have also lost spouses. A support system helps to keep the loneliness and at bay. “And besides,” she says with a wry smile, “my doctor says I’ve got another twenty years in me!”

Dorothy’s sunny kitchen is strewn with painting supplies and paintings in various stages of progress. Some still life, some portraits of people, and a couple of impressive close-up studies of lone eyes brimming with tears. Dorothy jokes with a dismissive wave that she is a “wannabe” artist, but I can see her passion jumping off of each canvas at me. Dorothy first discovered that she could draw and paint scenes from memory while she was working with special needs elementary students early in her career. This became a powerful medium she used to communicate with and help her students, and it has remained a big part of her life ever since. Her tables and windowsills are bedecked with her most prized possessions – photographs of her three children and their children, portraits of her and her late husband Bill looking glamourous in the prime of life, various snapshots of moments in time frozen in frames. Dorothy recounts how she met Bill at a friend’s Christmas party when they were both in their early twenties. As he made a move to come talk to her in the middle of a crowd of people, he tripped, spilling his drink on her blouse. “I remember thinking that he literally fell for me, big time”, she laughs. They were married just 10 months later.

Their love story, though idyllic in photographs, was often fraught with pain for Dorothy. She shares some candid glimpses into some of the struggles she faced during their long marriage, conveying the vivid emotions associated with those memories. At one point, she pauses to look out the window. With eyes welling and a tremble in her voice, she says, “But, you know….I really loved that guy.” A few moments of silence follow, thick with emotion, and I struggle to hold back my own tears as she gingerly dabs at her eyes with a cocktail napkin. “Ours was a typical marriage, I’m sure,” she says. “There were tough spots, but what matters is that we survived. We made it.” For better or for worse, 58 years. She stood by his side until the very end, caring for him as his mind and body deteriorated. Even though she admits to occasionally questioning how she handled all of it at the time, Dorothy is grateful for her life with Bill and the legacy it has brought her in their children. “He was truly my first joy, and my last.”

As Dorothy has watched her own children grow and start families of their own, she has developed a growing interest in her own heritage. Her Jewish great-great grandparents emigrated from Austria and Hungary in 1903. Witnessing the early stages of Hitler’s rise, they took their cue to leave Europe for the States. With only 65 dollars to their name, they were the wealthiest immigrants on their ship’s register. She goes on to tell me about her other relatives spread out across the UK, even Iceland. “That’s why I’m so easy to get along with, I’m a mutt!” She laughs. “When you have a different perspective, you can empathize with more people.”

By the time we’ve finished our wine and a good portion of the brie, Dorothy has laid out some very private corners of her life like an open book. I’m inspired, not only by her stories, but by the way the sum of her experiences has culminated in vulnerability and grace instead of the bitterness that can so easily find roots in a human heart. Dorothy and I migrate into her bedroom, and I watch as she applies lipstick in front of her generously sized vanity to prepare for her close up. She jokes, “I’m using a more conservative shade, so my lips don’t enter the room before Dorothy does.” Maybe it’s the combination of her humorous self-awareness and the image of her standing there perfecting her lipstick in the mirror with all the poise of a grand duchess, but I’m suddenly transported back to my childhood, and so many quiet mornings spent watching my grandmother get herself ready for a day out together.

Before I left for the evening, Dorothy gifted me a book from her library, a beautiful collection of photography using candid photos to tell the stories of families and the deep bonds they share. Inside the front page, she wrote, “Thank you for sharing your passion with me.” What a mutual gratitude that was.

That evening, I had the chance to ask Dorothy for a priceless gift: A single piece of wisdom, something that she wants me to carry through life. I loved her answer.

“Keep on keeping on. At any age, persevere. Get up, pull up your panties, and get on with it. Whatever it is.”