and i long for this mirrored perspective

I couldn't help myself.  Had to post.  ♥

right past the fireflies that sleep in my heart

Kaitlyn is sheer brilliance.  I'm certain she'll blush when she reads this, but any girl who can have the personality she does, combined with a killer intellect (she's graduating a whole semester early) and has intentions of going pre-med deserves such regard.  She's just on fire, that one.  I am certain she has made her parents puff out their chests.  I had such a spectacular time with her that afternoon at Cantigny.  Here are some my favorites moments...

i'm just in awe of what's in front of me

Taffi and Chris are inspiring.  They're full of that verve and spunk that certain couples in love have that just makes you wistful and yearning for the days when everything felt so bright and so new.  Truly.  Their enthusiasm for life is contagious.  And the wit!  Eeep!  I am certain a Sunday afternoon at home is nothing close to boring with them, simply because their engaging hearts always seem to happen upon something new to treasure.  I just wholeheartedly enjoy being around them and I cannot wait for their wedding next June!

And this post was supposed to have made its way on here on the 1st (which I'm just a few hours past now...), so my apologies to Taffi.  I hope you had a most fabulous birthday, girly!!!

the world is alive now, in and outside our home

In the midst of this late fall chill, these sisters are like a cup of cocoa.  I had a very hard time whittling down the amount of photos to share from this family session.  These girls just warmed me so.  They were (and are!) the physical manifestations of happiness and whimsy.  And their parents had such a gentle, knowing way about them...tender and affectionate.  Yet again, I struck gold when Mom and Dad *understood* the fact that I like to play with children before we do anything even remotely resembling a posed portrait.  Kate and Julia were so much fun!  Whether it was "ice skating" on the parquet floors with their blankets or pointing out our locale on the US map painted playfully on the playground or being lovey with their parents with a snuggle or a soccer ball, they just represented pure joy.

 

wherever you're going, i'm going your way

Back when I held the crazy drawing for a free lifestyle session, I had dreamed up meeting some fun, new client who I would have never had the chance to connect with if it hadn't been for the word-of-mouth of friends.  Never did I imagine that, through the magic of Facebook connections, one of my oldest and dearest nursing colleagues would snatch that accolade and send me spiraling down memory lane.  Jessica and I were brand new nurses when I started all of those years back...all doe-eyed and full of spunk on the postpartum floor with all of the new mamas and babies.  She became my partner-in-crime and one of the main reasons I made it through my first year out of school with a smile on my face.  After we left for Ann Arbor for a few years and then I wandered back to Chicago focused in labor & delivery, we'd see each other from time to time, but it was always a game of email catch-up and not the long, knowing hug and big, long update we truly wanted to have in person (I'm sure you're all familiar).  Until a few weeks ago!

It was such a thrill to see her email address and connect it with the winning number and know that I would finally get to meet this handsome husband of hers and dote on her darling little girls.  Adrian, Maya and Laney just seemed the perfect constellation of love for Jess.  It was so great to see her relishing family life...she truly has just lapped it up!  It was a great stretch of the morning and I can only hope she enjoys her preview as much as I enjoyed reconnecting.  What a brilliant little family!  ♥ 

(I just love how engaged Jess is...this is totally her!)