What would it be like to do a Rising Phoenix Experience in some of the most BEAUTIFUL places in the world? I’m talking about Santorini, Greece and Venice, Italy? Hmmmmmm…definitely worth trying! Right?! Brian and I extended our Portrait of Greece tour a few days to see if any of our attendees were interested. Becky and Aaron were one of three experiences we did to celebrate their 20-year anniversary! This romantic Santorini 20-year anniversary photo shoot was ICONIC in every sense of the word! I’m so EXCITED to share their experience with you!
We first met Becky and Aaron when they joined us on our Portrait of Italy: Photography Workshop & Culinary Tour.
From Italy to Thailand to Greece: How Our Workshops Sparked Lifelong Friendships and Renewal
With just two spots left, Becky jumped at the opportunity. She later shared how they had been running the medical clinic, Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine, in Virginia. Since COVID, Aaron had been working tirelessly. They knew they needed a break to restore their health, and Italy was the perfect escape. The trip turned out to be refreshing, inspiring, and filled with new friendships! They came not knowing anyone and left with lifelong connections.
That first experience sparked a deeper connection with our community. Becky later brought their teenage daughter on our Portrait of Thailand: Photography Workshop & Adventure Tour. (photo by Alicia Mackenzie) When Portrait of Greece opened, it was clear this would be the perfect way for them to celebrate their 20-year journey together.
And a romantic Santorini 20-year anniversary photo shoot was the ideal way to capture the beauty of their relationship.
Resilience and Love: A Story as Strong as Santorini’s Beauty
Their story, much like the resilient island of Santorini—famous for withstanding harsh winds and little rainfall, yet remaining one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. Their marriage reflects love, dedication, and the beauty of shared experiences. As we look back on their 20 years together, Becky and Aaron’s own words reveal the depth of their connection and the journey they’ve taken as partners.
Before the trip, we did a call with Becky about the qualities she loves most in her husband.
The Superpower of Intelligence: Aaron’s Brilliant Mind
Becky describes Aaron as “the most brilliant person I’ve met.” She shares that he often says if he could have a superpower, it would be a super brain, but in her words, “he already has it!” What she truly appreciates is “the way he thinks about intellectual things, processes them, and takes action.” This intelligence and thoughtfulness are qualities that stand out to Becky, making Aaron unique in how he approaches both life and their relationship. These are the moments we sought to capture in their romantic Santorini 20-year anniversary photo shoot—the essence of their partnership, both intellectual and emotional.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of their relationship is watching Aaron fall in love with their children in such a special way. Their story of adopting all three of their children with special needs is so moving in itself.
A Father’s Heart: Aaron’s Love for Their Children
“We adopted our son as a baby, our oldest daughter was one, and our middle daughter was 2.5, so we were strangers to them,” Becky recalls. Aaron pressed into “really getting to know them with each one of our kids.”
Becky especially remembers a moment with Anna, their daughter. “Anna changed him the most. Before adoption, we had Anna temporarily while foster parents were away. She was being cute in his arms, and the way that he was looking at her was so sweet. As much as he was being guarded, protecting his heart, in my heart I knew that the walls were coming down.” That moment was a turning point, where Aaron’s deep capacity for love began to shine through, as he opened his heart fully to their children.
When it comes to steadiness and reliability, Becky describes Aaron as “an anchoring influence over our family and marriage.” She adds, “He’s grown so much in compassion and also patience.”
(Fun, little side note: If I’m doing your Rising Phoenix Experience at the end of the workshop, don’t be surprised if I’m keeping an eye out for epic moments throughout the trip! 🙂 This was on another island earlier in our trip.)
Steadfast Love: Aaron as the Family Anchor
An example of this is how Aaron supported Becky through her battle with chronic fatigue. “He picked up the slack and supported me through the times I had chronic fatigue/illness with all the day-to-day (i.e. making dinner, feeding the chickens, etc.) without throwing it back on me, telling me to snap out of it, or being frustrated,” Becky shares. “He’s served me throughout our marriage, and I’ve come to appreciate his way of demonstrating his love through service. He’s duty-driven but also shows love and that we’re part of a team.”
Becky also recounts a powerful moment when she believed that Khalil was meant to be their son, even though Aaron didn’t feel he had received the same message. “When we had Khalil for a few weeks but then lost him for a bit (with no reason to believe we would get him back), Aaron stood by me. Even though we had people around us telling us to let it go or I’m crazy for believing that he’s our son, Aaron didn’t detach from me. Instead, he was like, ‘She believes it and if she says God told her, I’m going to believe this with her that Khalil is to be our son!’ He honored me by believing with me, waiting with me. He had my back.”
Becky’s Compassion: A Heart for the Underdog
After our call with Becky, we scheduled a separate call with Aaron. He is such a busy guy with his medical practice, but he made time to talk about what he loves most about Becky. The morning of their photo shoot, before we set out to take their photos, we shared their words with each other. You could feel the tangible love between them, every word being such a sacred gift to the other.
Aaron speaks with admiration about Becky’s compassion. “She’s a bleeding heart. Becky feels other people’s pain and cries for their sad stories, especially those with special needs or struggling with disadvantages.”
Her passion for caring for the underdog is unwavering. “Like a dog, she won’t let go of the bone,” Aaron explains. “Just don’t fight it… stay away because you might lose your hands.” He shares an example of this determination: “When our oldest daughter Anna was dropped from Medicaid and lost services because the person who was supposed to process the paperwork was lazy and didn’t do her job (and it affected many other clients/beneficiaries), like a dog on a bone, she wouldn’t give up and went after them, had them reported, and took them down for fraud!” This kind of relentless love and dedication shines through in their romantic Santorini 20-year anniversary photo shoot, showcasing their strength as a couple.
Aaron and Becky’s relationship thrives on simplicity, beauty, and vision.
Vision-Focused Partnership: Building a Beautiful Life Together
“She put herself into helping me organize my business. At first, I was annoyed with her pushing her nose into it, but after a while, I stopped fighting her,” Aaron admits.
Eventually, he came to see the incredible impact Becky had on his practice. “At one point, I was like, ‘I don’t care what color it is, how many email sequences the patients get… She’s done ALL that, and now we have a clinic that has great patient experience because she took ownership. Our patients feel safe because there are no phones ringing, no overhead calling, no screens/distractions. The clinic feels simple and not chaotic, where you can sit and relax.’”
Aaron acknowledges the transformation Becky brought into his work: “Becky has changed my practice. She’s helped me do better from an aesthetics standpoint and to provide a better experience to my patients.”
The Legacy of Love
For Becky and Aaron, their love is built on the foundation of compassion, loyalty, and vision. Whether through Becky’s relentless care for those in need or Aaron’s steadfast support through difficult times, they have created a family dynamic filled with resilience and beauty. Together, they model for their children a love that is rooted in action and partnership. They show that through compassion, patience, and a shared vision, their relationship continues to flourish.
This romantic Santorini 20-year anniversary photo shoot encapsulates the legacy they’ve built over 20 years. Becky and Aaron celebrate a love that is as resilient and beautiful as the island of Santorini itself.
At the Bottom of Their Stairs…THIS is What They See!
When their wall art arrived, Becky said, “They are DREAMY! It’s all so ethereal!”
I LOVE how they chose the acrylic/glass finish because I think it adds to that dreamy, ethereal feel! You can even see the reflection of the light and stair banister in the large piece, but it all gives it this feeling of motion, floating! SO BEAUTIFUL!
Becky and Aaron, WE CELEBRATE YOUR MARRIAGE!!!
Last 4 Spots for Portrait of Italy Workshop: Experience a Rising Phoenix in Venice!
If Becky and Aaron’s journey has inspired you, now is the time to embark on your own adventure! Aaron’s review says it best! “I started this trip, with my wife, not knowing anything about taking photos except for how to use my iPhone. I now have mastered high f-stop usage for creating a starburst effect and learned how to look at my surroundings through the eye of a photographer.” And he learned to make some pretty mean homemade pasta too! Becky’s desire for them to get away and be refreshed was so met, they’re signed up to come next year too!
We have just four spots left for our Portrait of Italy: Photography Workshop & Culinary Tour, where you’ll immerse yourself in the beauty of Italy, experience a private cooking class at a castle, and build lifelong friendships! And to make it even more magical, we’re offering three exclusive Rising Phoenix Experiences at the end of the trip, set against the backdrop of the iconic, romantic Venice. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something extraordinary—reserve your spot today and step into a transformative experience you’ll never forget!
CLICK HERE for the Italy details!
Prego!
Me Ra
