Real Couples // 47 Years of Amazing in Raleigh, NC: Amber Robinson's Parents Wanda + Marvin
/When Amber Robinson showed us the photos from a glam "just because love session" she did with her parents, I knew we had to show them to you. I asked Amber to interview her parents, too, and she mixed in her own questions with some of mine. Here is their interview, and these incredible photos. - Amber Marlow, submissions editor
Interviewing Wanda + Marvin:
Wanda (67) and Marvin (70) Brewington of Raleigh, NC
How long have you been married? 47 years. Married as college sweet hearts in 1970.
How did you two meet? Met at Livingston College in Salisbury, NC.
When and where did you get married? We were married in a backyard wedding ceremony in Wilkesboro, NC (Wanda's hometown).
You both beat incredible diseases—tell us about that. Marvin is a two time cancer surviver (colon/prostate) and is winning the battle with MS. Wanda is currently winning at Parkinson's disease.
When were you diagnosed? Marvin colon cancer in 1987, prostate in 2013, and MS in 1973—Wanda Parkinson's disease 2014.
Where did you find the strength to help each other through such a difficult battle? Our love for each other and faith in God. We made a vow on our wedding day, through sickness and health, and have always been determined that we can and will overcome anything. On the days that one of us is down, the other one picks us up.
What’s the secret to a lasting marriage? Truth, honesty and not letting the small things get you down. Most of all, never forgetting to laugh and have fun. It is hard work, but it has always been worth the work it takes.
What’s the glue that holds your marriage together? Strong belief in God and our love for each other. We both also had excellent roll models as parents. They had it way tougher than we did, and we know that is they were able to do it, with what they had, we certainly can.
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Interviewing Amber Robinson:
What made you decide to photograph your parents: We do a small session every year for their holiday card. This year I decided to go for a glam look - mom and dad went along with it.
What was your approach to the shoot? I treated this session the same way I do every session or wedding I shoot. My goal is to capture real emotion between couples. I didn't have to do much with these two, they lit up in front of the camera!
What has seeing your parent’s strength taught you about love and marriage? I have learned that love isn't always easy, but it is always worth the work. I really strive to model myself as a wife and mother after the example that my parents have taught me. Honesty and communication, never going to bed upset, and finding a way to compliment your partner.
What’s the best love lesson your parents have given you? That saying "I love you" is the smallest expression of love that you can give your partner. Doing things that make your partner feel loved goes so much farther than saying the words.
AMBER ROBINSON
Amber is the creative heart behind Images by Amber Robinson photography based in Raleigh, NC. Her approach to photographing couples in love is unconventional as she actually has couples sign in their contract that they agree to be friends. She believes that strangers shouldn't be invited to your wedding and that goes for vendors too. This approach creates relationships with her couples where their love for each other is free to be expressed because her couples not only like her style, but trust her as a friend to capture their authentic love on their special day. She believes in celebrating love between all people from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, and races. The only requirement is that her couples are hopeless romantics like her.
