Getting inked is a big thing. But getting inked for your anniversary, on your anniversary? It’s tough to think of a cooler way to celebrate. Sophie and Jared celebrated three married years this year, and to honor that, I followed them to Chapter One Tattoo in OB. He’d been around the block before, but this was her first time in the chair. Exciting! Sophie handled it like a true champ. I guarantee you, I made way more pain-faces back in my day of inkage! I think what was most beautiful was to see the tenderness between each of these two. When he finished up, he came to hold her hand, and the look on Jared’s face said it all—this woman makes his life richer. I can see why Jared makes a perfect youth pastor—he’s engaging, playful and fun, but he is also a natural listener. Each of their tattoos was a perfect match for them.

Sophie, who works for the padres on promotion, is full of happy, glowing energy. Her enthusiasm about our shoot was a delight, and we decided to just mosey around this awesome, colorful, hippie-beach-bum neighborhood of theirs. I met them at their place, we walked over to the tattoo parlor, walked over to the pier, roamed a couple of alleys, and finally kicked back at Raglan to wrap. There, we encountered some table puppies and friendly folks. It was just about the most laughing- and love-filled afternoon one could ask for. Now that’s an anniversary!