I am in the middle of editing my wedding from a couple of weeks ago and I forgot about these images that I had taken before Rachel was about to walk down the aisle. I just had to photograph them and their sweet innocence. It brought me back to when I was a little girl. Young and free. When all I had to worry about was where my Barbie doll had disappeared to or keeping my little sisters’ out of my room. The days of leaving the house at 10:00 in the morning and returning at dark, just in time for dinner. When your only disappointment was missing out on a trip to 31 Flavors, when heartache was your best friend pulling your hair or Mom simply saying, “No!” Sweet Innocence; dreaming about your wedding day. Reflecting; today I took a moment to reflect on my life, the past, the present and what my future holds. The past has been amazing. I was one of those little girls who dreamed about her wedding day, heck, I had a wedding dress that I pranced around in at the age of 9. (I think my pretend groom was Leif Garrett. Mom, correct me if I am wrong)? My past was carefree and full of laughter. I’ve been blessed with two remarkable kids. I’ve experienced loss. Loss of death and loss of love. Which, in return, has given me courage and strength that I wasn’t quite sure I had. Present; amazed at where I am, living my dream. Constantly with camera in hand, capturing life’s moment’s. Blessed to watch my children grow. Laughter, attitudes, tears and all. A special someone that makes me smile on the inside and out. My business that I have worked day and night for. The ups and downs that go with that. They only will help me grow. The future is yet to come. I will continue to follow my dreams, desires, to live and love like today is the last day. Kind of surreal what an image can bring to the surface, what an image can speak and what a image can hold for a lifetime. I may not be the richest woman in the world, might even struggle sometimes. But, I am happy, carefree and passionate. Once again, I am reminded of why I do what I do.
“If you want, then start to laugh,
If you must, then start to cry,
Be yourself don’t hide
Just believe in Destiny.
Don’t care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don’t give up and use the chance
To return to innocence.”
-Curly M.C.
3 comments
Well put, Michelle. Thanks for sharing the story of your life and those images. You made me think!
Those are awesome Michelle! The girls in their dresses and you don’t even need to see their faces to get their sense of anticipation. Really cool!
that was beautiful michelle.