This has been a really strange year for me.  It's been a good year with lots of good things, but as we head into fall, I've been reflective on what I've learned about myself this past year.  The most important lesson I learned this year is that I really need to stay true to my core values and what's important to me as a person.  It's not so much about what I am as it is WHO I am.  And I am so glad to be getting back to that girl!  I stepped away from volunteer opportunities for a little bit and I didn't realize how much I had been missing them.  I didn't realize how much volunteering had become part of who I am. 

I was honored to be asked to photograph the Light the Night walk benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this past weekend.  Light the Night is a series of walks benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s funding of research to find blood cancer cures.  It is their aim to bring light to the darkness of cancer through research and cures.

What a fantastic event to be part of!  Through the hard work of many LLS staff and volunteers, Light the Night, Chesterbrook was a wonderful success!  It’s wonderful to see so many people come together to love and support those affected by cancer.  I love that this group supports those individuals currently going through treatment and celebrates the survivors while at the same time lifting up those individuals who have lost loved ones to cancer.

Thank you for having me capture these memories LTN!  It was a pleasure and I look forward to another great walk with you later this month!

♥ -Kristi

Her sister saved her life by donating her bone marrow!  When I asked if I could get a picture of her, her face lit up with a smile and she asked me if her sister could be in the picture with her! 

Each color lantern has a different meaning - white lanterns are carried by survivors, red lanterns are carried by supporters and gold lanterns are carried by those who have lost a loved one to cancer.  

Walkers could make a button showing why they walk.

So yep - I found dogs!  No surprise there!

I loved the creativity some individuals used when showing off their lanterns!  This one was my favorite!

This sign breaks my heart.

PRESS ON FOR MICHAEL team.

More dogs :) 

If every picture is worth a 1,000 words, this one might be worth 5,000. 

This was such an emotional part of the evening.  It was amazing to see this!