Fifty Million to One

The Young family are my heroes! This is Lisa and her daughters Mandy and Alex. I have shared Mandy's story before and you should also check out her website and I took Alex and Chad's maternity photos before their little girl was born.  Today I want to tell you the story of Mandy's mother and father, Lisa and Speed Young.

Lisa needs a kidney transplant. According to the Mayo Clinic, "A kidney transplant is used to treat kidney failure, a condition in which your kidneys can function at only a fraction of normal capacity." According to Living Kidney Donors Network, "There are over 80,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list – and many people wait more than 5 years for a kidney from a deceased donor. The waiting list has doubled in size over the past 10 years - and it continues to grow." Finding a kidney donor is a very long and difficult process. Lisa's family immediately started getting tested because usually blood relatives are where you begin looking for a match. The Young's were constantly praying that a match would be found. And then Speed got a phone call. On Lisa's birthday. According to Lisa, "All I could hear was, 'Ok, uh huh, right, ok, sure.' He hung up the phone, looked over at me with big tears in his eyes and said, 'Lisa, I'm a match. I'm your match.' I felt every ounce of strength I had leave my body and my emotions got the best of me! I dropped my face into my hands and now balling like a baby, I thanked God for His miracle and then I practically ran across the room to him and said, 'Thank you. thank you for saving my life! I really hope I can save yours for you someday.' He looked at me and said, 'Well thanks, but I really hope you don't have to!'"

Doctors told Lisa and Speed the chance of their being a perfect match was fifty million to one. FIFTY MILLION to ONE! Their daughters couldn't be happier. Mandy says, "They really are the perfect match all the way around! Tears fill my eyes in thankfulness!" Alex says, "Better, worse, sickness and in health...they complete each other!!"

So now the Young family pushes on together and are looking ahead to the surgery. The thing is kidney transplants are very expensive. For example medication alone after a transplant is approximately $33,000 a year not to mention all the other expenses involved. So for the rest of 2012 a portion of every photoshoot that is booked with Susan Crutchfield Photography will be donated to the Lisa Young Transplant Fund. It doesn't matter when the photo shoot is booked for 2012, 2013 or 2014! I have been looking for a special cause to support for two years and I am so thankful to have found it.

Also, if you would like to donate to the Lisa Young Transplant Fund checks can be sent to: Mandy Young P.O. Box 80354 Conyers, Ga 30013. If you can not donate please join me in praying for this wonderful, inspirational family.

To book your session today please email me at susan@susancrutchfieldphotography.com. And check out my Facebook page to stay updated on funds raised!

Jennifer and Aaron are married!! {Norcross Wedding Photography}

Boy meets Girl in first grade. Life paths diverges. Boy meets Girl again in college. Life path diverges. Boy meets Girl again and Boy and Girl fall in love! Finally, on a beautiful October, day Boy and Girl get married! Jennifer and Aaron have such a sweet romantic story and their wedding was a perfect reflection of  all they have been through to reach this day.  Jennifer and Aaron threw a celebration full of love and emotion that turned into a fun party!

Jennifer & Aaron’s wedding day began at the Hilton Doubletree where the bride and her bridesmaids were beautified and pampered by Kristen White Imagery before hopping on a party bus and heading for Norcross. The ceremony and reception were held at the beautiful The 173 Carlyle House. As Jennifer walked down the aisle to her groom, the looks on both their faces said it all! Those are my favorite photos of the day because Jen's huge smile and Aaron's teary eyes showed that this couple was meant to be. Gorgeous fall blooms from A Daisy A Day made a brilliant orange splash against the chocolate brown of the bridesmaid dresses. Jennifer looked stunning in a wedding gown from Bel Fiore. The ceremony was beautiful and filled with laughter, tears and huge smiles as Jennifer and Aaron were pronounced married! The cocktail hour commenced and then swung into the buffet with a unique grits bar!  Complete DJ spun tunes that had guests twirling on the dance floor. There was much laughter and more waterworks as the couple’s dearest friends toasted their new married life and shared great anecdotes from their relationship. The wedding ended with Aaron and Jennifer dashing out as dazzling sparklers lit their way. But the night was not yet over as the couple headed to their neighborhood bar for a fun after-party.

Jennifer and Aaron, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special day. It was such an honor!