Where do I start. It was a beautiful summer day and there he was…13 years old. haha Ok, so that’s not exactly how this story starts. I do believe my hubby was around 13/14 when we met and I was a lively 15 year old. Yes that’s right! I am a cougar!

Aren't they beautiful creatures? hehe

During this time, I spent a lot of my high school days hanging out at my best friend, Crystals, house. And her brother, Jerad, befriended Robbie who lived down the street over a joint interest in drums. So there you have it, this is how the world brought my husband and I together in the same room.

Probably rocking at least 17 years old here? Thanks for smiling boys!!

I think this was our Senior Year, so we were rocking 18 years.

We became great friends throughout these years. Enduring many interesting trials that growing teens go through. Dating all of each others friends. And jamming to a few bonfires. Ok several bonfires, and maybe a few Christmas tree burnings. Now I have to tell you that Robbie confessed his love for me very early on in this friendship relationship and has pined after me for years. But I am a stubborn woman! Though not early on, as we grew older and started becoming adults, my friendship with Robbie definitely grew into a secret attraction at which we flirted endlessly. But that was it.

Lakeland Square Mall..we were so cool.

As life would have it after high school, I was working full time and started full time college. And, the same, Robbie was already working full time and eventually would leave to join the Army. At the time this happened, I remember thinking…he could have potentially been the one…but not now. Due to the fact that I was still in Plant City, and at the time had no plans on leaving.

Well I think God had other plans. Somehow throughout all the years, we still remained connected through the deep friendships we made early in life. Our best friends at the time had naturally become our extended family. Both of us found ourselves entwined into Crystal and Jerad’s family existence, and through that we never lost touch. Even when sharing in the joy of one another’s previous relationships. Mostly through reconnections at life events such as marriages, Robbie’s 1st R&R and New Year’s Eve parties, life and God brought us together.

New Years Eve 2008? And yes that is me photo bombing in the background. How could you not be attracted to that?

Robbie's R&R from Iraq Party...still not even dating! haha

FINALLY THE TIME CAME. God’s time.

In 2010, we both ended previous relationships of several years. At which time, somewhere out of the blue, I got this little message from my dear friend. Robbie.

And this is where OUR true Love Story begins.

I know its been a long haul so far, but if you are still reading this, I’ll try to be quick. But we tend to pack A LOT in a little bit of time. Movers and shakers, Robbie calls us. And it’s true!

Ok so back to that message. At this time, my Robbie was very much IN THE ARMY. I was very much IN THE MIDDLE OF A PROFESSIONAL CAREER as a graphic designer. (I had to have caps on mine too..even though its less dramatic than being in the army..it’s only fair..haha) Robbie lived in Washington D.C., in a house that he purchased and was renovating. I lived in Plant City, Florida. Yep….Still…. In my defense, I did have a short stint where I lived in Tampa. It was terrifying. haha Just kidding..I enjoyed it.

So the messages turned to emails to phone calls to eventually a plane ride out to DC only a few short weeks after we had reconnected. Before I even flew out there, we both knew where this was heading and that seeing each other would only solidify what we were both already thinking.

As I walked out of the Baltimore airport, there he was standing 6’4″ tall in his Army uniform. Tall, dark and handsome! And we all know a man in uniform is a sexy thing. And he totally was. I remember our long embrace there at the airport, and I already felt home. This trip turned out to be the most romantic date I have ever been on. After a quick trip to his house to change and freshen up, we traveled by subway around DC. Ate sushi. Went to the Smithsonian Museum, and shared our first kiss covered in Fall leaves on the National Mall with the Washington Monument in the background. Now that’s how you sweep a girl right off her feet. To share this beautiful day and evening with one of my best friends…we were both head over heels…in love.

A month later, Robbie and Jerad (his roomie at the time..and bff from before) drove down for Christmas, New Years, and oh yeh…to pack my life in a Uhaul and facilitate my life joining Robbies. And the rest is history.

An actual picture of our drive to DC

Life in DC was fast and fun. Trips to the city, renovating the house, engagement in New York City, and starting our family. We also received the news that Robbie would be stationed in Germany in just a few short months. Lots of boring details later left me back in Plant City. With the impending deployment of my hubby from Germany, and the soon to be birth of our son, we decided ultimately that Plant City would be the best place for future Baby Robbie and me for now.

Fun dates in DC

Statue of LIberty! Fun dates in NYC

Painting the ceiling

Drywall Face!

These are probably my favorite pics of my hubby below:

Robbie looking at our first Sonogram pic in amazement.

Pure Joy of a Father.

This was a beautiful day.

And of course, I was excited about the peanut too!!

For 2 years now, we have spent New Years Eve’s, birthdays and Christmas over email, phone calls and skype.

Robbie was in Germany the last half of my pregnancy

Hard working soldier in Germany! (oh and pretty cute too..)

This is how we live our life. Through pics and emails!

So of course we had to keep it interesting and amusing. haha

Robbie having fun in Germany.

And traveling home for the birth of our son!!

Off to have a baby!!

Aaaaaand daddy's back in Germany.

And then there were 3.

Baby's First Christmas!

Baby's First Christmas!

Baby's First New Years!

Baby's First New Years!

My amazing hubby does find ways to make it home to us. And we pick up right where we left off!

My beautiful family!

And THIS is our Love story.

So there you have it folks. This 15 year friendship has brought me the most amazing relationship of my life. My marriage to my soul mate and my best friend, Robbie Simison. Our journey along the way has been preparing us for the trials that we have faced already. My husband, my son and I will all be joined back together in a few short months, where we will live together once again. I look forward to this crazy thing we call life together. And I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us.

Check out Crystal’s Love Story here!

Hey Guys! I wanted to write and introduce you to my dear friend and photographer, Rebecca Arnold. She is amazing! I met her while working at TMR Ad Agency in Lakeland. {Yes I used to have a day job.} She is always a wonderful source of inspiration, ideas, creative feedback and best of all friendship. She has also allowed me to steal her photography for years now… hehe {Actually we trade sessions, but I think I am the one who wins on that deal}

Anyways, I conned her hired her to shoot some professional but casual photos of The Copper Lantana {otherwise known as myself and my bff, Crystal} being that while building this site I couldn’t find any pics of the 2 of us that weren’t ridiculous or shot in the dark using our phones…haha

Like this one:

Or this one?

See what I mean??

And of course Becca’s (that’s what I call her) photography is drastically more awesome than our self iPhone portraits. See below.

Now meet the photographer. Rebecca Arnold! My Beautiful Friend.

So now that we’ve laid the groundwork of needed photography and making hiring Becca to help us out, here are shots from our day!

Of course we had some of our boys with us! Only Crystal’s youngest son Grayson was missing.

Lucas! With Aunt Jennie's Sunglasses..haha

Of course I was having fun with it. Crystal had no idea.

I finally let her in on it.

All in all it was a beautiful day and 400 shots later we have some awesome images
that we will cherish forever.

Rebecca you, again, are the bomb!! And we thank you so much for helping us out with this shoot!!

Rebecca Arnold Photography is based out of Lakeland, FL. If you would like more information about her photography or would like to contact her for more info, you can email me at jennie.simison@gmail.com or her directly at arnold.rebecca@gmail.com.

We will be offering a giveaway in the future for a free session!! Check back for more details on this.