10/19/2026
As I’ve transitioned into building The Legacy Project, I’ve started to notice how people hold on to their loved ones even without labeling it a “legacy session.”
Mekenzie and Tristan’s wedding day celebrated the start of their new family, reuniting and integrating a new last name, and dancing for a woman whose presence was dearly missed.
Before the ceremony began, several of the signs were covered in lace to hide a huge secret:
Both Mekenzie AND Tristan would be changing their last names.
Several years ago, Tristan met his biological father for the first time. From the moment his dad found out, he embraced him as his son. Over the years, Tristan and Mekenzie built a strong relationship with the entire Campbell family, so it just made sense for them to start their family with the name that had welcomed them from the start!
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While this day was filled with so much joy, there was still mourning. Mekenzie’s grandmother, Oma, had recently passed.
I’ve been to a lot of weddings. I’ve seen a lot of very clearly “his side” and “her side” with no cross-mingling.
However, Mekenzie walked up to the dance floor, alone, during the time she was supposed to dance with her Oma.
I watched as she poured her heart out over the woman she loved and missed so much. I watched Tristan join her to support her as her voice wobbled. AND THEN I watched as every table stood up without hesitation to dance with Mekenzie to “Sweet Caroline” to honor her grandmother.
When looking back at the pictures, several of them have both tears and laughter in the same image.
I think that might have been the sickest visual of two families joining together I’ve ever witnessed.
Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you to Mekenzie and Tristan for loving their people well.
