mitch, megan, maximilian & marigold

Then we miscarried.

I decided I needed plants. Lots of plants. All under my control, all things I could keep alive. I never seemed to have enough. Each month we had a negative test, that day I’d go to a nursery and get more plants. I’d take my time walking through the plant aisles. I’d run my fingers across their leaves, waiting for one to call out to me. Sometimes I’d go with my son and let him pick one. Sometimes, I just wanted to go alone. This was an errand where I couldn’t be rushed. I needed to take my time and let the minutes, sometimes hours, in the company of plants work their magic.

In June 2017, I woke up with an idea. Greenhouse. I want to build a greenhouse. So we did. We designed it ourselves. It's not a kit you buy. We were outside for 7 months, just the two of us, placing each individual piece with our own hands. Our fingerprints are pressed into the wood. Our blood, sweat and tears are mixed into the foundation. I've touched every single leaf and petal of every single plant and flower that calls it home. The greenhouse is an extension of my heart and soul. It shows us that there is good that comes from the bad and is a reminder of God's promises and His Perfect Plan.

It's so much more than just a greenhouse. We found out we were pregnant with Marigold the day it was completed. We found out we'd be adding a daughter to our family inside it's walls. Our family visits it daily and we play beneath the leaves. While it was never built for weddings, it's grown to be a micro-wedding venue. Couples say 'I do' here and for us, that's incredibly special. From pain comes beauty. From death, new life.

and then...

We are a registered Monarch Waystation! Along with tons of pollinator friendly plants, our yard is full of milkweed, the only plant monarchs lay their eggs on, and the only plant the caterpillars will eat! During butterfly season, Megan will go egg hunting and keep the eggs & caterpillars safe. When they emerge, they are released back into the yard to start the process all over again! They also remind Megan of their sweet baby. The very best thing you can do for their species? Plant milkweed! 

why the butterflies?

how did we get started?

Mitch and I were a full-time photo/video wedding team for almost 10 years. We traveled all over the world, documenting 40 weddings a year. When Covid hit, we suddenly had 40 couples whose weddings had come to a complete halt. We felt so bad for them! We said hey! We have a backyard greenhouse and we think it's really pretty. Keep your wedding date, lower your guest count, get married on your original date, we'll document it and then your reception at a later date. Many took us up on that offer, as well as couples that weren't originally ours. Before we knew it, we realized we accidentally created a wedding venue in our backyard and are now honored to host 80 weddings a year.

- Megan

'Waking up to a new sunrise - Looking back from the other side - I can see now with open eyes - Darkest water and deepest pain 
I wouldn't trade it for anything - 'Cause my brokenness brought me to You
And these wounds are a story You'll use

So I'm thankful for the scars - 'Cause without them I wouldn't know Your heart - And I know they'll always tell of who You are 
So forever I am thankful for the scars

I can see, I can see - How You delivered me - In Your hands, In Your feet - I found my victory - I can see, I can see - How You delivered me
In Your hands, In Your feet- I found my victory

I'm thankful for Your scars - 'Cause without them I wouldn't know Your heart
And with my life I'll tell of who You are - So forever I am thankful.'

- Scars, i am they

Megan

Or Boss Lady, as Mitch likes to call her, and your Fairy Godmother. Although you may not see her, she's always watching and knows of the happenings within her realm. She loves being at home and prefers not to leave. She's most likely wearing her crocs, hair in a messy bun (with leaves that got stuck) and tending to the garden or greenhouse, or puttering around the cottage. She suffers from RBF (and apologizes in advance for that) and loves hugs. 

Enneagram 2 wing 3. The greenhouse and garden were her vision. For the Enchanted Cottage, we have agreed on a 50/50 split between whose idea that was. 

Tacos and coffee are the way to her heart, as well as quoting The Office. She's probably reading ACOTAR for the 85th time and spending as much time as possible in the cottage. 

mitch

The man behind the greenhouse build. Mitch is our muscle, our backbone, our solid ground. The most hardworking, patient man we know. 

Enneagram 1 wing 9, Mitch does not enjoy having nothing to do. He thrives on structure and purpose. He has patiently agreed to almost all of Megan's whims (ok, some of them were bad ideas), hence the greenhouse and the garden, and now the cottage.

If the greenhouse is Megan's, the basement is Mitch's. He has transformed the space into a gym, and you'll find him working out in the morning before the rest of the house is awake.

max

Our Maximilian! Max is one of the sweetest, purest little souls. He's absolutely amazing with younger children and has an incredibly huge, giving heart. If your kids come over to play, they will be leaving with something Max has gifted them. 

Like his daddy, he loves having purpose. He's happiest when helping others. You'll find him up on the ladder helping with floral installations, or chasing the chickens to put them away for the night. He checks the strawberry bushes each day, probably to eat them before his sister can.

Like his mama, tacos are his favorite. Atta boy.  

marigold

Our wildflower. The promise of her (before we knew her) is what inspired the greenhouse. Marigold is your classic second born, yeeting herself off of high places, always barefoot, always running wild, always care-free. 

She loves to twirl in big dresses and skirts, and loves to dress up. But on the flip side, also begs her daddy to wrestle and loves riding the four wheeler. She's the perfect blend of cuddles and tumbles. She has definitely inherited her mother's attitude, which should be super fun as she gets older.  

Following her brother and copying whatever he does is her favorite thing to do.