I’ve spoken a lot over the years about how photography has opened up my world.  About the people that I’ve met…the places I’ve been able to go…the experiences I’ve had.  Photography has broadened my horizons in a way that I never could have imagined possible…through the mere act of meeting new people and having a mutual affection for my lens.  Photography has taught me that this world is just one relationship after another waiting to be had.

However, one thing that I often overlook is the fact that being a parent has taught me much the same thing.

Having my children and experiencing that stage of my life with other people has also changed my perspective and my relationships.  And because of my two little munchkins, I have found friendship in some unlikely places!

Like the day that Hudson befriended an adorable little blonde boy over toy trains at our local bookstore.   And their chance encounter led to my chance encounter with his beautiful Mom!  And over coffee, we became friends.  We ran into each other again at the park…then again at an outing one gorgeous winter day.  It was when we discovered [during another random encounter at Starbucks!] that I was actually shooting the wedding of one of her close friends – we knew the Universe intended for us to be friends.  And clearly – no matter how busy our lives got or how preoccupied we became – the Universe wasn’t giving up.

Fast forward nearly a year…

And here we are; two new houses…an engagement…a few novel worthy changes in our lives…and still friends.  And mostly through chance encounters that continue to bring us together.  However, more and more, we begin to understand that it’s never really “chance”…that somehow, in the midst of this crazy life, we are meant to be friends…to share our stories together…to allow the Universe to work its beautiful magic!

So, last week, we found ourselves together again.  Sitting on the tail gate of my car having yet another one of our conversations that ends up feeling like we’ve been friends forever.  Talking about life; the challenges…the victories…the unbelievable ways in which the roads turn.  And we celebrated the immense beauty that is about to enter hers; a baby sister or brother for the cute little man that initially brought us together in the first place.

Under some of the most perfect evening light, we celebrated a plan much bigger than our own…a plan that – thankfully – enables me to call this beautiful girl my friend…