Where does the time go? There are many milestones in the moments that make up the raising of a child.
Clearly the first time you hold your newborn baby in your arms is the most life changing, and it’s all too quickly followed by many memorable firsts along the way. Before you know it, you wake up one day and stare into the beautiful, eyes of this child you have loved more than you ever thought possible and you realize that they have become an adult. If your very lucky; your looking into the eyes of someone who you would be proud to call your best friend, but someone to whom you will always be their parent first and friend second. Your looking into the eyes of someone who is kind, spirited, independent, strong and as beautiful on the inside as the outside. You are looking into the eyes of someone about to embark on the next chapter of their life and you are overwhelmed with pride and all that you want for them. You are also very aware that everything you have done (mistakes and all) have prepared them to take on this stage in their very own way at their very own pace and that you must take a step back and allow them to go.
I’m watching this right now with one of my best friends, and with a child I have watched grow over the years into someone I would be proud to call my friend as well. A child who truly hasn’t changed a bit on the inside, someone who’s character and characteristics have only intensified and become more obvious to the world. I’m watching as always with the eyes and heart of a mushy overly analytical dear friend and one who is all too aware that I’m right behind her… as always. I can only imagine the love and pride my friend is feeling and truly can’t begin to fathom what it must feel like for the other beautiful woman in this post, this child’s grandmother. To watch a 3rd generation of strong, spirited woman move towards her goals must be every grandmothers wish. This was a beautiful gift, 3 generations of women immortalized forever in a portrait as well as some senior pictures for Lexi and some mother/daughter images before she goes off to college. As always… from my perspective, behind my lens… the gift was mine.
And because I couldn’t resist, here is a little peak at the past…
A young Lexi in a reflective moment on the beach... or she might have just been annoyed with her Mom?
Lexi looking after my Jason on vacation
Lexi holding my 9 day old Jared... what was I thinking?
