A week ago things were very different. Napa and Sonoma Counties seemed to be burning out of control, we had evacuated, and for the first time in my career I was questioning if I could shoot a wedding. How could I focus when everything around me was so profoundly unknown?

And then the thought that came out of nowhere but somehow perfectly formed: photography is one of a very few things that can’t be taken away from me by this fire. My house, my possessions could disappear but photography would be mine no matter what. And with this knowledge I took a deep breath and knew I could not only handle the wedding but that it would be a great privilege and joy to do so.

Marian and Aaron get a lot of credit—they made it incredibly easy. These two are so in love and find complete contentment in their simple life together: morning coffee, reading the New York Times on weekends, walking around San Francisco with their adorable dog Suki. They look at each other like it’s Christmas morning or they just won the lottery. What brings them joy are the same things that I, married 17 years and looking the possibility of my house burning down, have come to know as the things that matter most and will sustain us through the most challenging times.

Thank you, Marion and Aaron, for reminding me of all this. I will always be grateful to you and am so excited for you as you start your life together.