cherie and baby

The evolution of the female form…When I met this lovely lady over 20 years ago she was just graduating high school and headed to college.  I have watched her creative career develop and evolve into small business ownership with her at the helm.  I have witnessed love blossom and grow over many an Easter table and family function.  We have slid high heels on and double-dated and tied on running shoes and passed batons to one another, cheering each other on toward the finish line.  I remember the announcement that they were having a baby…three babies ago.  This gentle young lady has gracefully matured into a woman who holds her own, making her own path in life.  I love that she tests her limits and strives to do more.  Family she is by chance but friend she has become by choice.  She makes me proud. 

portrait session with kirin

She told me that she had met someone at the Montréal Jazz Festival, the concert series I insisted she go to.  My first question was “is he Canadian?”,  my only fear being that I would need a passport to go and visit her when she moved away.  That's how your mind works when your sister utters those simple few words that you know have changed her world and that will eventually change yours.  With that one sentence he was not “someone”. I knew he was, the one. 

Fast forward nine years.  There was a move, but to his home state of Virginia.  There was a wedding.  Then there was a baby boy born.  A nephew. More importantly, another cousin.  He has won our hearts.