They say you don't get to choose family. While true, Abbie and I can wholeheartedly say we couldn't have asked for a better sister-in-law. 

Relationships aren't without their myriad of challenges, and long-distance relationships double them. Planes rides and road trips over long weekends and holidays can take its toll. So it's no surprise the entire East Coast can't wait to celebrate Diana's return after three long years of grad school in the midwest. Because if there's one thing you can choose, it's the zip code your family's in.

Through the miracle of the interwebs (and some Facebook stalking), I found out a friend of mine from high school had similarly been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. So of course, I had to make a visit, because who needs an excuse to have human interaction more than a photographer editing away in his fortress of solitude. 

A couple weeks back when I had another shoot in the area, I decided to drop by and catch up with Alessandra in her studio in DC where she, along with her two partners, run the super cool letterpress company Typecase Industries. 

They make anything from invitations, to thank-you cards and coasters, with the classic feel and production process of letterpress printing that's palpable—an art quickly fading in this everything-digital age. If you love design, the smell of freshly dried ink, or human interaction, definitely check them out!

I'd been looking forward to celebrating with these two for the better part of a year. Jonathan (despite being an accountant—I'm allowed to say that!) and Patty are two of the most laid-back, down-to-earth, and fun-loving people I know. And you could easily tell by their guest list that kept expanding up till the last minute. And by their sick moves on the dance floor.

Thanks so much, Jonathan and Patty, for letting me contribute to the creation of memories on your special day. It was an incredibly fun reunion!

Have a safe trip back from the Maldives! 

While I was there, I hung out with Abbie's cousin Michelle and her fiancé Brian for a quick engagement session in the 'burbs outside Chicago. We grabbed a drink at the bar where they first met, and at some point, one of Darth Vader's female incarnations may or may not have made an appearance.

Here's to another winter wedding in the Windy City!