and she lives happily ever after.

stupid me. I thought stories had definite endings. especially when the words “happily ever after” appeared onscreen in some curly font with drop shadows, I solidified in my heart that those movie characters not only worked everything out in just enough time for animators to capture, but also that things ultimately—and I mean ultimately—stayed that way, forever. princesses who kissed their princes in the last frame stayed in love for eternity, talking animals who discover courage and acceptance by the end can never doubt their newfound identity. people who found themselves within the timespan that an audience was watching could never lose themselves again, even long after a time when a cameraman seemed to care.

but that’s all pure fiction—scripted, staged and executed for entertainment value. it’s not a documentary, it’s not even social commentary; it’s all part of a business plan to get our money and keep us busy for a couple hours. and I always happily bought into any animated tale’s empty promises and aspired toward their make-believe goal: happily ever after.

so when I hit adulthood, the unscripted truth hit me in the face that my “story” is atypical in comparison to others, in comparison to the stories I had always known. because maybe I’m not done writing. others aren’t really either, even if they seem to be. and happy endings are just stories that haven’t finished yet.

but honestly, I think I just misinterpreted the cliche phrase incorrectly for the past twenty years or so. I thought happiness requires certain templated circumstances in order to exist: prince charming, white horse, gorgeous castle and a crown to match. however, this coveted state of mind that people spend their lives chasing after is actually a choice, made actively for oneself and completely independent of any external factors. caged birds still sing when groveling in poverty, and pretty, rich people are still committing suicide while wearing fur coats and diamonds. no one is immune to crumbling circumstances, but everyone is capable of happiness. now. not after losing a few more pounds, after getting that job, after starting a relationship. the people who really do live happily ever after are the ones who don’t ever hope for any particular thing to happen in order to be happy.

in reality, that’s really all it takes.

Against All Odds: An SD Couple Triumphs Over Grave Matters of the Heart Heart disease. It’s the single largest killer of women in the world, taking more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined — including breast cancer. Leslie Giesemann knows this grim reality well. She was diagnosed with heart disease and underwent surgery at only age 24. Against all odds, she is not only alive, but also a trauma care surgeon, a wife to husband Michael Giesemann and a mother. In partnership with the American Heart Association and the Go Red for Women movement this month, 944 shares her touching story in celebration of our Wedding Issue.944: How did you know you had heart disease?LESLIE GIESEMANN: I had just finished learning about the heart in medical school. I got up one morning with crushing chest pain. The doctor said it was probably just indigestion! I had to convince him for 45 minutes to finally do electrocardiography — my arteries were occluded and I later had bypass surgery.944: Meeting Leslie years after the surgery, how did you react to her medical history?MICHAEL GIESEMANN: I gained a new respect for her. I’ll never know it to the extent that she’s lived it, and I’ll never grow tired of hearing the story. She’s now talking to other young adults. One high school girl who has [heart disease] was asking her mom, “Will I be able to get married and have kids?” And I’m thinking, “Yes!”944: How did having your surgery at a young age affect you and your relationships?LG: I thought that as a young woman, this sucks to have this huge scar. But after surgery, this old man who had cardiac surgery told me, “Don’t worry; any man who loves you will love your scar.” It’s a big part of you that you have to share early on with someone, and my husband never made a big deal out of it — it’s refreshing to find someone who really loves you for you.944: Did you ever have doubts about starting a family together?MG: Our cardiologist seemed so nervous that Leslie had open heart surgery and was now pregnant. One of the first things he said left both our mouths gaping: “Have you discussed termination?” We didn’t think that was a necessary option, and now we have our son, Benjamin.944: How can couples help each other with health issues?LG: Michael listens to me. I’ve heard stories where women have chest pains and men say, “You’re just complaining, you’re fine.” From a woman’s perspective, if your significant other listens and respects your feelings with encouragement and belief — whether emotional or regarding health — that’s a huge thing. That’s the reason I got involved in the Go Red campaign, because of the reaction I first got. People look at someone and they’re thinking, “You don’t look like you have heart disease, so why should I give you credit for what you’re telling me?” We women are always being told that we’re being frivolous, we’re not showing classic symptoms, we’re just complaining. And I could have died, but I didn’t.MG: Respect it and believe it — she’s gonna know how she feels. Be supportive. Find the bond between you and your wife and don’t discount it just because she has a heart disease. I was an avid hiker and mountain climber — that’s not something Leslie can do, but she loves the outdoors for photography. We both respect nature in different ways, with different intensities. I never think of anything as sacrificing for her — I wouldn’t have married her if I didn’t want to be doing what I’m doing. Just being able to spend some time with her is fine, so still encourage the interests you share. Still participate in life.Show your support of the fight against heart disease on National Wear Red Day on February 4, and check out goredforwomen.org. —- finally writing full-page profiles that feature stories like those of the Giesemann’s: interviewing them side by side, along with an appearance by their son, Benjamin, was like watching true love sit on couches in Solana Beach. thumb through 944’s first wedding issue online, full of progressive, unconventional editorial unlike any other wedding magazine. here are a few links of things i’ve been working on instead of blogging these days: 944 MagazinePoint of View: Zooming In on Wedding Photographer Tim KingWhat’s New: Couture Events College CandySpring Break Prep 101 - Know Before You Go! …again, i’m so sorry i haven’t been tumbling, will be back soon! and i just recruited two friends to build me an online portfolio, so i can stop posting entire pieces on tumblr and can direct potential employers to an actual domain. yesssss.
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Against All Odds: An SD Couple Triumphs Over Grave Matters of the Heart

Heart disease. It’s the single largest killer of women in the world, taking more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined — including breast cancer. Leslie Giesemann knows this grim reality well. She was diagnosed with heart disease and underwent surgery at only age 24. Against all odds, she is not only alive, but also a trauma care surgeon, a wife to husband Michael Giesemann and a mother. In partnership with the American Heart Association and the Go Red for Women movement this month, 944 shares her touching story in celebration of our Wedding Issue.

944: How did you know you had heart disease?
LESLIE GIESEMANN: I had just finished learning about the heart in medical school. I got up one morning with crushing chest pain. The doctor said it was probably just indigestion! I had to convince him for 45 minutes to finally do electrocardiography — my arteries were occluded and I later had bypass surgery.

944: Meeting Leslie years after the surgery, how did you react to her medical history?
MICHAEL GIESEMANN: I gained a new respect for her. I’ll never know it to the extent that she’s lived it, and I’ll never grow tired of hearing the story. She’s now talking to other young adults. One high school girl who has [heart disease] was asking her mom, “Will I be able to get married and have kids?” And I’m thinking, “Yes!”

944: How did having your surgery at a young age affect you and your relationships?
LG: I thought that as a young woman, this sucks to have this huge scar. But after surgery, this old man who had cardiac surgery told me, “Don’t worry; any man who loves you will love your scar.” It’s a big part of you that you have to share early on with someone, and my husband never made a big deal out of it — it’s refreshing to find someone who really loves you for you.

944: Did you ever have doubts about starting a family together?
MG: Our cardiologist seemed so nervous that Leslie had open heart surgery and was now pregnant. One of the first things he said left both our mouths gaping: “Have you discussed termination?” We didn’t think that was a necessary option, and now we have our son, Benjamin.

944: How can couples help each other with health issues?
LG: Michael listens to me. I’ve heard stories where women have chest pains and men say, “You’re just complaining, you’re fine.” From a woman’s perspective, if your significant other listens and respects your feelings with encouragement and belief — whether emotional or regarding health — that’s a huge thing. That’s the reason I got involved in the Go Red campaign, because of the reaction I first got. People look at someone and they’re thinking, “You don’t look like you have heart disease, so why should I give you credit for what you’re telling me?” We women are always being told that we’re being frivolous, we’re not showing classic symptoms, we’re just complaining. And I could have died, but I didn’t.
MG: Respect it and believe it — she’s gonna know how she feels. Be supportive. Find the bond between you and your wife and don’t discount it just because she has a heart disease. I was an avid hiker and mountain climber — that’s not something Leslie can do, but she loves the outdoors for photography. We both respect nature in different ways, with different intensities. I never think of anything as sacrificing for her — I wouldn’t have married her if I didn’t want to be doing what I’m doing. Just being able to spend some time with her is fine, so still encourage the interests you share. Still participate in life.

Show your support of the fight against heart disease on National Wear Red Day on February 4, and check out goredforwomen.org.

—-

finally writing full-page profiles that feature stories like those of the Giesemann’s: interviewing them side by side, along with an appearance by their son, Benjamin, was like watching true love sit on couches in Solana Beach. thumb through 944’s first wedding issue online, full of progressive, unconventional editorial unlike any other wedding magazine. here are a few links of things i’ve been working on instead of blogging these days:

944 Magazine
Point of View: Zooming In on Wedding Photographer Tim King
What’s New: Couture Events

College Candy
Spring Break Prep 101 - Know Before You Go!

…again, i’m so sorry i haven’t been tumbling, will be back soon! and i just recruited two friends to build me an online portfolio, so i can stop posting entire pieces on tumblr and can direct potential employers to an actual domain. yesssss.