Debbie and I met in Ms. Leinenkugel’s classroom when we were 7 years old and have been the best of friends ever since…over 30 years now (that CANNOT be right, can it?). A little recap of our crazy, sweet life together:
We were chased by boys at recess. We chased them back. We fought & made up. We spent Saturdays at Moulton’s Roller Rink & spun each other in the middle. We swam in the lake at Deb’s house. We listened to Casey Kasem’s Top 40 while sunning ourselves & drinking Pepsi. We both decided to play the flute. We fought & made up. We had crushes on the same boys & went to “wild” parties. We got our hearts broken & broke some back. We practiced our cheerleading skills in her bedroom & laughed until our cheeks ached. We watched LOTS of scary movies. We took Spanish (I was Susana & she Rebeca). We got our driver’s licenses. We (ok, I) crashed into things now & then. We tested our parents’ boundaries (enough said). We graduated. We suffered. We went to different colleges. We both married Kevins & were each other’s maids of honor. We COULD NOT STOP giggling. We made & received frantic 3 a.m. phone calls. We travelled around Europe with our husbands. We ate & drank our hearts out. We no longer fought, so no making up was necessary. We lived near each other. We lived apart. We celebrated. We became mothers to Avery (me the biological one & she the godmother). We cried each other’s tears through tragedy.
Through it all we have unwaveringly remained sisters, friends, each other’s most devoted fan. We are forever.
[my 9th birthday party, 1981]
So now that you’re all caught up on The Story of Debbie & Tara…allow me to introduce the unbelievably beautiful, silly, tender-hearted little boy who finally joined his jubilant mommy and daddy last November. His name is Owen and he is TO DIE FOR. Seriously, the sweetest baby boy you could ever hope to meet and a perfect, adorable addition to Debbie and Kevin’s family. They are over the moon with gratitude and happiness that their son is home at last and are the most devoted, proudest parents around. You can practically SEE the love bubble that surrounds them! What a gift. I found this quote from the book Little Miss Spider by David Kirk that caught my heart (add in “father” and it fits the creation of this incredible family perfectly):
For finding your mother,
There’s one certain test.
You must look for the creature
Who loves you the best.
My family and I got to meet Owen this spring and I had the profound honor of getting my camera on him…an amazing, playful, spiritual experience for me. I was so very tickled that HE LIKED ME! And I took full advantage of that by snuggling him up and sniffing his delicious baby neck whenever possible. To say we enjoyed meeting Owen and witnessing the love swirling around the lucky three of them would be an understatement. It was bliss.
Heaps of love to you, Deb and Kev, our loyal, fiercely-loving, dear friends.
And now, without further ado…the fabulous and irresistible wonder that is Owen. I ADORE this child and feel enormously blessed to be a part of his life. See you soon, little man!
♥ t.
Benny (the furkid) insisted on getting his moment in the spotlight. I was entertained by LOTS of Wiggles’ songs here by Debbie & Kevin, with Owen dancing along. Hilarious!
Such a happy little guy.
Only one year old and already a bookworm.
The boy’s love of mealtime is truly something to behold. Check out the excitement surging through those tiny arms and legs!
Good ol’ Benny Boy.
This shot of my Debbie and her son is my favorite of the session. Their connection makes my heart sing.
