Oxana & Ivan {Love Story}

Oxana and Ivan… how I love these two, and their story.

You might recognize Oxana from many of my weddings where I have been privileged to have her for my excellent second shooter. Oxana is an award winning photographer with a home in both Russia and America.

And that is the start of their story.

 

How Oxana and Ivan came to be is a really romantic tale… filled with many nights of lonely tears spent apart. She and Ivan met in Russia… fell in love… and married… four… long… years… ago. But there was a problem… Ivan had no visa to come to America. And in order for Oxana to keep her American Visa, (which is where they would build their lives together) she had to be in America at least 6 months of the year, and Ivan could not come. So for the last four years, these two have been married… from afar… 6 months a year in a different country and culture. Oxana spent her time working to pay for plane tickets for her trips back and forth to be with her husband.

Finally, In May, Ivan got his American visa, and the two of them are now together full time, for the first time. When she was sharing their story on one of our long road trips, Oxana said it something like this: “I have been so happy. I can’t believe he is finally here! I used to be so sad all the time, but now I am so happy, I can’t stop smiling.”

Their story of love and determination to be together is a beautiful thing.
Someday you’ll have to ask Oxana or Ivan to share more details, because it is really special.

Yes… He would follow her anywhere.

 

My shoot with Oxana really sparkled thanks to the time and talent of :

Hair | Roxanne Wintz | Beehive Beauty Shop

Makeup | Kathie ‘Mia’ Preheim |Alaska Makeup Team