film! EXCITEMENT!

my first roll of film has been developed! words cannot describe how elated I was when I got into my car and opened up the envelope to look at these beauties:

is this real life?

one of my best friends got engaged a few hours ago.

pause. rewind.

when we were eight years old, Katherine invited me to her birthday party. It was a detective themed party, and we all wore trench coats and wayfarers. There was also this really incredible string game... this is the first memory I have of her, even though we knew each other before then.

when I turned ten, Katherine wrote me this really incredible poem about being friends and growing up and loving each other and the Lord and always being there for each other. I still have it.

when we were thirteen, we went on our first choir tour together. if you grew up shady, you'll truly understand the impact of that important event.

when we were sixteen, Katherine had jaw surgery and had her mouth wired shut for weeks. I brought her frapaccinos and we would sit and watch the food network for hours.

when we were eighteen, we spent a whole summer doing beach trips and choir tour and camp and taking lots of pictures and packing for college and crying but smiling at the same time because our lives would never be the same.

when we went away to our separate schools we kept in touch via texts, phone calls, THE THREAD... I visited her at Union. She still has to come to Auburn for a visit.

And now Katherine's engaged. This is probably one of the most exciting nights I've had in weeks. I've been jumping around my apartment and squealing and calling my parents and calling our friends and speculating about weddings and showers and engagements all night. I even went for a drive to release some energy, only to realize that I didn't have my license and had left my apartment unlocked. It's that exciting.

We're growing up. It's a little sad, but I love it.

a saturday morning downtown

with coffee and scones and cupcakes (for breakfast? sure.)

...and friends that I haven't spent quality time with since January

it was a much needed morning

Urban Standard will forever be one of our favorite places

p.s. Kris Mullins took all of these lovely pictures

oh hi, summer

I survived finals, and I'm halfway done with Auburn. Let's not talk about it.

A couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's half baked, a lot of fruit, good music, and the thought of being at home for three months got me through every single test.

So now I'm sitting on my back porch in Birmingham, listening to Regina Spektor and blogging, relaxing. I don't have much to say, except that I am so incredibly thankful that I made it through this past semester in one piece, and that this summer is going to be full of good food (duh), incredible friends, music, film photography (ahh!), and making some money. I'm glad to be home.