As some of you may know, He-Pobke and I met in Japan in July 2003 as fresh faced, just-outta-uni, don’t-know-what-to-do-with-my-degree young 20-somethings. We lived in neighbouring villages and taught English to the local elementary and middle schools, under the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. It was in that year that we met, fell in love, and vowed to somehow stay together even though we knew our time in Japan was due to end in July 2004. He would, inevitably, go back to Australia, while I would fly back to my family and friends in Seattle. But nine years later, here we are. An international love story of sorts, across two continents, a massive ocean, and now a baby on the way.

I bring this up because (a) it’s Valentine’s Day (and who doesn’t like to relive their love stories?); and (b) I’m about to share with you Stafford and Sarah’s wedding. Stafford is one of Clinton’s oldest mates; a groomsman at our own wedding; and the first of He-Pobke’s friends that I had the pleasure of meeting in Japan all those years ago. Staff is a traveler. Well actually, he’s a primary school teacher (and an amazing one at that – those kids in Adelaide are lucky to have him). But I think in his heart of hearts, he’s a traveler who loves seeing the world and hearing its music and feeling its culture and rhythm. It is because of this affinity for the world that Stafford embarked on a several month, round-the-world tour in 2003/2004, which ended in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.

There he sat in Clinton’s lounge room, beer in one hand, laughing at some Japanese show on telly. I walked into the apartment, excited to meet someone from Clinton’s former life in Australia. It’s as if meeting this person would validate that Clinton was, indeed a real human being and that he was, as he said, an “Aussie.” :) From the minute we got to chatting, I realised what a kind and funny person Staff was. I heard story after story of a young Pobke in Adelaide, and seeing the two of them reminisce like old brothers was something I’ll never forget.

Stafford married his beautiful girlfriend of nearly ten years last month in the Barossa Valley. Sarah is equally kind and funny, and also a fabulously caring teacher. Together they make up a wonderful team… The ying to her yang. When they asked me to photograph their wedding day, I couldn’t really say no… It was such an honour to be asked, given our history and Stafford’s history with Clinton, and the fact that I’d get to hang out with family and friends and watch my husband be a groomsman was just icing on the cake. :)

So Stafford and Sarah: congratulations on your most beautiful day. I feel so lucky to have been asked to be there and document your love story. xoxoxo :)