I remember.  When she was two years old and her ringlets made her look like a dark-haired Shirley Temple.   I remember.  When she was five and got scared spending the night at my house and wanted to go home. Two minutes later, she was back in charge and had no intention of going home.  I remember. When she was nine and played the piano at my wedding and how she looked like an angel in her pink and white dress.  I remember.  When she was eleven and was one of the first people to hold my baby girl.  I remember.  When she was twelve and convinced her mother to foster children.  I remember.  When she turned sixteen and I couldn’t believe that she was going to be driving.  I remember.  When her smile melted my heart… and it still does…

 

 

This is Briannan.  She is my niece, not by blood, but by love.  Her mother and I have been friends for half of our lives.  She and her sister, Megan, taught me to be an aunt.  I can’t imagine my life without them in it.  When Briannan asked if I’d take her casual senior pictures – well, you know what I said.  The only problem I had was that more than once, when I looked at her through my lens, my eyes welled up with tears.  I was remembering the little girl she was and amazed by the young woman she has become. 

 

 

 

 

and, of course I had to get one of her baby sister.  Who could resist capturing this joy?

And one of Brianna and her mom, my friend.