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I don’t really know how to handle this at all… I’m writing in part for my own selfish reasons in hope that this is remotely therapeutic and also in part to share some of the things I loved most about someone I think made a difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. Christina and I met about 6 years ago when she was looking to get in to wedding photography and her dad suggested she give me a call. As it turned out I had just had someone cancel on me and needed an assistant that weekend. When I met her I immediately liked her. She was so sweet, funny and just one of those people you couldn’t not like. We had a long drive to the wedding venue and by the time we got there honestly it had been like we had been friends forever. That’s just the way she was. Needless to say I asked her to work for me more often and over the years she became like a little sister to me. I remember when she told me about Tyler and how she was totally smitten with him. I felt like I knew him too from all the stories she told me about him. When they decided to get married she asked me to photograph their wedding which of course I was thrilled to do. I had only met Tyler once in passing before the engagement session but when I saw them together I knew it was right. I have to admit I was a little protective at first. But he really won my heart too. Their engagement session was so much fun, I could feel how much they loved each other. Their wedding was no different. I hadn’t met her family except for her dad really but when I walked in the house I felt like part of their family. I knew they would be great just based on stories and how sweet of a person Christina was. We’ve photographed a ton of weddings together and as recently as a couple weeks ago. Tyler and Christina came in to do their album just a month ago and they were cuddled up on the couch watching the preview like a couple of lovebirds. She picked up her book last Tuesday not even a week before this horrific tragedy. We talked for a couple hours about life and how amazing things were. When I hugged her goodbye I said, see you soon. I can’t even begin to comprehend that would be the last time I got to see her. My heart literally hurts. I can’t even imagine what their families are going through. When I got a call from her sister I thought it was to talk about something else and hadn’t even seen the story on the news. They hadn’t released their names yet even. When she said they are gone I didn’t know what to even say. My heart broke for them, for me, for anyone who’s ever known her for a minute! I watched every video and read every article on the news trying to figure out how this was even possible. How could this have happened? This doesn’t happen! They were two of the nicest people I’ve ever known!
Rest in peace my friends. Be what ever you want to be in heaven together. Looking out for all of the people who you’ve touched and care so much for you. You will never be forgotten and will always be missed dearly. Love you guys. Our tears are just a sign of how much you mean to us all.
To the Celenza and Roy families… My love, thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
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