Not the season that just ended, but last, last summer– 2105– the summer when everything changed. The image above is an outtake from family photos that were outdated minutes after they were taken. Last summer we had six children at home, Abby and Lizzy staying in the guest room, Hansie around every single day.
There’s danger in waiting an entire year to put together a video. Sentimentality overruled wisdom and the footage extends three times longer than it should. We didn’t manage to take a family vacation between Stefan and Hansie’s missions, but we did spend plenty of happy hours together.
Besides the masses of Hansie footage, you’ll notice a few things:
- Gabe changed COMPLETELY. I promise you, this was just one year ago, but if you look at Gabe you’ll think it must have been three.
- This video features at least a dozen kids who are now serving missions. I’ll send a prize to the first person who can name twelve. Who am I kidding?– The only people who will watch this entire mammoth documentary are the mothers of those missionaries.
- I won’t lie, it was a summer of rollercoaster emotions. And it’s kind of nice that, looking back, all I see are people who truly love each other.
Summer 2015 from Michelle Lehnardt on Vimeo.
Kel
Gorgeous, Michelle! I miss all those awesome faces and aren’t the years between 13 and 14 huge for changes!?!!?
Heather
I love your videos! They are so inspiring. Really want to learn how to shoot video this next year. What camera do you shoot with?
Cath
Watched every second. So much joy. And you are the queen of capturing it so beautifully. Love you and yours. At every stage, with every change. xo
Ruth Mitchell
You’re right this missionary mom has watched this three times already! Loved every minute!
Heidi
I loved this! I especially loved how Sam laughs at the end when her candles get blown out. 🙂 You really do such a great job, and I love your music choices for your videos too!
Laura
Hi Michelle! I love your videos so much! I would love to learn how to do something like this. Do you have any recomemdations on where to start? Besides buy a camera 🙂 we’re still using my husbands mission camera and he’s been home ten years.:-) Did you take classes or was it self taught? Anyway, your videos make my day. Thank you so much for sharing!!
mlehnardt8@msn.com
Hi Laura- I’m mostly self taught with the help of lots of youtube videos and a few workshops. I’ll write a post about my favorite videography tips very soon! Thanks for your kind words!