My friends Melanie and Mike got married this weekend, which means I can finally unpixelate her bridal images that we took a few weeks back. I met Mike about a year after I moved to Dallas back in 1996, and we used to referee football together for a couple years as well as play on a flag football team together. We still play football, and a couple years ago, he met Melanie through Dallas Sport and Social Club, and he was smart enough to realize she made him a better man. I couldn't be happier for both of them. Congrats, you two! This was the session I was 103% sure wasn't going to happen because it had been gray and rainy all day, but as soon as we met at the park that evening, the sun peeked out and things dried up just enough for us to capture Melanie looking beautiful and all grown up.

This one cracks me up. Love the Melanie & Hippie (Mike's long-time nickname from the years when his hair was longer than Melanie's) coozy and Melanie's Kansas State garter. I have no idea why she continues to maintain an over-the-top allegiance to a school with such a mediocre football team.

Since these two are so down to earth, laid back and fun, Melanie and I talked about bringing Mike's Harley down for a few "biker bridals". Mike was a good sport about it and rode the Harley down to the park and then took a walk until I let him know it was all clear for him to come get the bike after Melanie has safely hidden away. Wow, he's a better man than I am. I think... scratch that; I know I woulda taken a peek.