As Valentine’s Day approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about love — how my definition of it has evolved over time. Back in my dating days, love looked like grand gestures: dinner reservations, fresh flowers, and maybe a sweet little gift. It was the kind of love that could be lifted straight from a Nicholas Sparks movie — polished, romantic, and wrapped up with a perfect bow.

But over the years, I’ve come to realize that love doesn’t always look like that. It’s not always Instagram-ready. It’s not always glamorous. And sometimes, it’s downright unappealing.

Take last night, for example. While giving the kids a bath, my sweet son (bless his adorable little heart) decided to poop in the tub. Chaos ensued. As I scrambled to get the kids out, rinsed off, and into pajamas, my husband sprung into action—rolling up his sleeves and tackling the disaster left behind. That, my friends, is love. A very different kind of love than the flowers and chocolates I once associated with Valentine’s Day, but a love that runs so much deeper.

Love is cleaning up a bathtub full of poop—even when you know your spouse might gag at the sight of it.

Love is letting your three-year-old paint your toenails, knowing full well that the polish will end up everywhere except your actual toenails. (Bonus points if you forget to remove it and only notice when you take your socks off at a parent-and-me gymnastics class. My husband, for the record, really rocked those pink toenails.)

Love is tag-teaming all-nighters with a newborn and making sure there’s hot coffee waiting for the next shift.

Love is wearing yesterday’s clothes, covered in toddler snot and baby spit-up, and still being told you’re the most beautiful person in the world.

Love is settling for date nights on the couch, watching a half-finished movie before one of you falls asleep. It’s stolen glances in the chaos of the day. It’s quick kisses in between diaper changes.

Love is messy. It’s reading the same bedtime story for the millionth time, kissing scraped knees, and potty-training accidents. It’s letting go of control and embracing the whirlwind that is parenting — yes, even when it means letting your child “help” make dinner, knowing the disaster that’s about to unfold.

Real love isn’t about perfection. It’s not about golden-hour lighting, picture-perfect outfits, or carefully brushed hair. It’s raw, chaotic, and wonderfully unpredictable. It’s about sharing a life with someone.

It’s perfectly imperfect — and, honestly, so much better than chocolates and roses.

This Valentine’s Day, let me help you celebrate your everyday love with a family storytelling session.

For $200, you’ll receive a 2-hour storytelling session to gift to your loved one, redeemable anytime between now and June 2018.

You’ll also receive five digital downloads from our session (artist’s choice), with the option to purchase more from an à la carte menu of prints, products, and collections—a stunning way to honor your family’s love story, not just on Valentine’s Day, but every single day.

 *Fine Print: This story session voucher can be used to book a family session, an in-home newborn session, or a fresh 48 story. As well, the value can be applied toward a longer 4-hour Day in the Life storytelling session. The session can either be in your home or at a favorite location of your choice (or a combination of both).

All sessions are unposed and documentary in nature—they’re intended to capture real life. Check out my family gallery or blog if you aren’t currently familiar with my work.

Sessions are for immediate family only, must be booked by February 28, 2018, and take place by the end of June 2018 to take advantage of this promotion.