The Summer She's Thirteen

July 17, 2012

Watching your little girl grow from chubby-cheeked baby (we called her "chipmunk" cheeks) into a confident and beautiful young woman is the privilege of a lifetime. Watching each of our children grow into who they are is one of life's sweet parenting gifts.

I consider it a privilege also when she asks, "Mom, can you take some photos of me?" When she invites me to capture her, in this moment, through the lens. The blue tank and aqua gypsy scarf that highlights her gorgeous bright eyes. The blue nail polish against black capris. Her unpainted skin and dark eyebrows. Golden tresses lanky at the end of a hot summer day. Oh, I don't want to forget this.

Her. Right now.

She did a pretty good job with her self portraits but when she couldn't get exactly what she wanted she asked for my help. I was oh so happy to oblige.