Cliffs of Moher Portraits | Ashley + Stephen

Silver pots of tea are delivered to our table, we are glad to huddle up and rest awhile. The wind out side the Anchor Inn bracing. Tea poured we chat with Ashely and Stephen who have traveled from Carolina for their Cliffs of Moher Portraits. Their story is straight out of a romance novel.

The couple met working in the admissions office at University, however, it took for Stephen to graduate and move eight hours away for the pair to start talking! It takes a friend, a birthday card, a phone number and eight distance to get them chatting. It turns out absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder.

Over the next few months a flurry of text messages lights up the screens of these two sweethearts. I remember with a smile that sweet “honeymoon phase” of dating and all the lovely texts that go along with it. To imagine that Ashley and Stephen were separated at this time make it obvious how deep their love of each other is. They both agree that the long distance was hard at times but it has made their bond and relationship much stronger.

Then it happens!

As I am lamenting the lost phones and lost texts between myself and Sean in our first few months, Ashley tells me “We compiled our texts from the first three months and turned them into a 614-page hardcover book!!”

To have such a book! To look back on during various stages of married life, what a wonder that would be.

More coal is thrown on the fire and I am aware that the light is falling from the sky. Sean is readying his cameras. I know we have to brace the cold but I want to stay chatting all evening to these two humans who are just so full of warmth. I ask just one more question before we head out. I ask what is it that they are most looking forward to about their wedding and marriage.

“Coming home to each other! We’re so excited to spend our time together and not have to say goodbye every night.