One of my all time favorite traditions growing up was posing for Christmas cards with my family. It was only the three of us: me, mom, and dad. Now that I had Fionn, I wanted to continue that tradition.

"Just a few more," I promised. We had been at this for a while, posing and trying different locations in the house for better lighting.

"My cheeks are sore from all this posing," Fionn grumbled, pouting.

I kissed his protruding lower lip. "You're such a big baby. C'mon, I think we should try the fireplace again." Taking him by the hand, I situated us in front of the fireplace. The bricks provided a nice background, with our stockings hanging down from two hooks on either side. I held up the camera at an angle in selfie mode, getting an extreme close-up. Frowning, I started to move again.

"Nuh uh." Fionn took the phone from my hands and pressed a few buttons. Moments later, he set the camera up on the table and hurried back over to my side. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close, pressing his lips against my cheek. I giggled, grasping at his sweater with my hand and throwing my head back with laughter.

Click.

Fionn pulled away with a twinkle in his eyes and went to check the camera. "Now this is a perfect shot." He showed me the image.

A grin spread across my face. Fionn had captured the most perfect candid moment of us. No forced smiles or awkward poses. Just two people deeply in love caught in a moment of pure happiness.

Frozen in time, captured forever in such a beautiful memory.

"That one is fantastic! How did you do that?" I said.

Fionn shrugged. "It's a gift. I like to work the creative bone every now and again. Plus, one of the best things I love is capturing those moments you least expect. It makes that infectious smile of yours more contagious." He leaned forward and kissed me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "I love it."

He pressed his forehead against mine. "Shall we try for a few more options?"

I shook my head, glancing at the image one last time. "This one is perfect. It's what I want everyone to think about when they think of us." I let out a happy sigh. "Look how far we've come, Fionn. Can you believe that a year ago we barely knew each other?"

"I like to think that the stars were waiting for us to meet," he replied. "There's something magical about this time of year, and I'd like to think that we were brought together by some greater force."

I hummed against his chest. "This is why I like the tradition of Christmas cards," I said. "Capturing a moment, a memory in an image that you get to share with other people you love. In fifty years, I want to look back on this photo and remind myself of just how amazing our life has been together."

Fionn grinned, capturing my lips against his again.

Click! The camera shutter snapped again.

It would make another great memory, for sure. But this one I'd keep in my heart.