It was Valentine’s Day. Courtney, Mike, and I were on our way to Laguna Beach to shoot their e-session at this private beach we had in mind. We had it all worked out. The place. The lighting. The mood. It was ours. Almost.

If you live in Southern California, and have a brain, you know that Laguna Beach is going to be slammed with lovers on their way to the Charthouse, to the White House, or to whatever-else house that serves steak, lobster, and cocktails. Unfortunately, I only had Courtney and Mike on my mind. I forgot that the canyon to Laguna Beach is a two-lane pain, synonymous with “parking lot” on any given holiday.

With the windows down, Taylor Swift blasting (Mike mentioned he was into it), I knew it was time to think of Plan B. There was absolutely no way we were going to make it to our private beach with any lighting left. So, what do we do?

We go four-wheeling. Obviously.

We kicked up some dirt, parked hillside, and turned up T-Swift. Because when life says, “Hey this isn’t working,” we say, “Oh, yeah, Life? Bet you didn’t think of THIS.” And then we think of something better. Like hiking a hill fenced off with barbwire in white pants with camera equipment, and abandoning the car on the side of the road.

So, we hiked. Bugs bit us, and we threatened to bite back. We pulled twigs out of each other’s hair. We climbed trees and rocks, laid in sticks and patches of untouched grass. And I don’t think we could have had more fun.

We couldn’t get over the excitement, the adventure! Stunned by the sun’s illumination of an unparalleled beauty after a good rain, we were reminded of how God gives us better than we know how to ask for.

The world is a playground. That’s what Court and Mike reminded me. My belly ached from laughing with them. The way they play together, flirt with each other… it’s some kind of magic. It’s what we dream of as little girls; the type of playful love that tickles our heart. We imagine The Boy holding our hand through pretty fields, dusting off the spots kissed by the dirt… we vividly imagine these things, and then some of us dream them into life.

Courtney and Mike, your love is magic, and I am charmed. 80 DAYS until Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kelly.