YOU WILL NEVER BE COMPLETELY AT HOME AGAIN, BECAUSE PART OF YOUR HEART WILL ALWAYS BE ELSEWHERE. THAT IS THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR THE RICHNESS OF LOVING AND KNOWING PEOPLE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE.

Santa Barbara. Oh does this place ever have a special place in my heart. A lot of the reason is because of these guys right here.

Andrew officiated our wedding (he got certified just for us!) and is like a big brother. Kimmy is my BFF, soul sister, and fake-engagement-themed-movie-marathon-buddy (there are actually sooo many!). Hayley is my little bud. Love that girl to pieces. And Alaina, well she is just the sweetest little addition and an entertainer already.

There is no way I can possibly begin to describe what a blessing they have been in my life, but basically, these guys are friends that are family. 

Although this trip looked a little differently as we packed up their Santa Barbara home, time with them is always the best and I am so excited to see what the future holds for them.

If you are wondering how the heck this Canadian girl ended up being a part-time couch warmer for these guys, here’s a bit of a blog post I wrote from another trip a while back.

I had flown down to Santa Barbara for a much needed vacation. I had been here before for United, a photography conference, but three years ago I booked a hotel, rental car, and plane ticket for 10 days. Just me. Just the beach. To refuel and breathe.

You see, I knew Andrew through PASS (my oh-so-awesome company based here in SB that provides custom galleries for ya’ll) but never really had the opportunity to connect or get to know him or his wife Kimmy outside of work related meet-ups or conferences.

I forget how it happened, if I went by after a group dinner or just stopped by. But I remember walking in their door and being welcomed wholeheartedly into their home; their lives. I remember sitting on their couch and just hanging out. I remember feeling comfortable, at home right away and loved how low key it was. For this girl, that does not happen often. You see, these two are the definition of hospitable. Actually.

Kimmy definitely brought that southern hospitality with her from Texas because whether I was stepping off the plane at Santa Barbara airport for a couple months or a week, they have welcomed me “home” with open arms.

The Barlows have become family.

Love you guys! xx

PS. I’m booking *limited* family sessions this summer+fall. Contact me here for more info or to book yours!