Layton, Utah Anniversary Session | Utah Couples Photographer

This was one of the most favorite sessions Jessie and I have ever done.  Not because of the venue.  Not because of extravagant clothing or flowers.  It was because this anniversary session was with the best people I’ve ever known, my mom (Shelley) and dad (Neal)… and yes, I can truly say the best people because Jessie was there too 😉 .

These two just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.  They met in a high school play that they both were in.  My mom is a very talented pianist, and played all of the musical numbers.  My dad said that he had a crush on her and wanted a singing part so that he could practice with her and get to know her.  Well… he didn’t get a singing part in the play.  It was a part that only had lines.  As luck would have it, he ended up being in the same carpool as my mom and the two hit it off!  Years later, my dad took my mom to see the movie Rocky and afterwards, he proposed!

Since then, my parents have had 5 children and 17 grandkids.  I don’t think any of us could have asked for better parents or grandparents.  The grandkids in my family know that if they spend time with Grandpa Jackson, they will help make his famous Grandpa Jackson Pancakes, or his Christmas Fudge.  Each Christmas he’d make enough fudge to fill a large container and we’d go around to what felt like half of our hometown of Mendon to deliver it.  Dad also coached us countless times in soccer, baseball, and basketball.  My dad was no novice to sports either, he coached multiple championship teams!  When I look back at this time, I remember leaving to arrive at games early and having the entire car ride to have one on one time to talk to my dad about everything.  I cherish these moments.  I am so grateful for his example and the time he constantly sacrifices for all of us.

My mom was and is dedicated to all of her kids.  Her love of reading and giving books as gifts has helped to coin the nickname of “The Book Grandma” because every Christmas, each kid and grandkid can count on getting at least a couple books from her.  Growing up, we could always count on mom to spend late nights proofreading and teaching us how to write papers.  I would credit her for my ability to write blog posts… but I’ll have to double check with her to see if this writing is good enough that she’d be willing to take that “honor” ;). Although my mom never coached us in sports (but plenty of times in writing), she would come to almost every single game to support us, no matter what position or how much we played.  Once, I was injured during an entire soccer season, but my mom still came to watch while I sat on the bench.  I remember one time she apologized to me that she would not be able to make a game, even though I knew that I wasn’t going to play due to my injury.  This showed me that my mom is one who will always support us, no matter what.

My mom is a cheerleader and teacher.  My dad is a builder and coach.  Together they’ve been able to build a wonderful life and help all of their crazy kids become successful adults.  I don’t know how any of us would have turned out without them.

Mom and Dad, we love you! I couldn’t have asked for better parents and examples to model my life after.  We hope that you love your pictures, and that they bring as much joy to you as the joy we had taking them.