You never know when people will pop back into your life. When they do, it can be like no time has passed at all. That is what happened when I got to photograph the Ames family. I grew up in church with Rod Ames, in fact our parents grew up together and our grandparents. We were apart of the Salvation Army which has a very unique heritage and family bonds. Michelle entered the picture when Rod started to date her in high school. We spend years as teenagers involved with youth group and stuff at church. In there 20’s Michelle and Rod moved across the country. I didn’t thing I would ever see them again.
Fast forward 20 years. We are in the age of social media. For all the bad it does it also does a wonderful job of keeping us connected to those we might have lost touch with. I do not even remember when or how Michelle and I became friends on Face Book, but we did. I didn’t realize this because she doesn’t post much. If she does post I don’t get to see it because of Face Book’s lovely way of picking who’s post I see and don’t see. To my surprise last month I got a message from Michelle. She said she had been following my work and boys photos and wanted to book a session with me. They were going to be in town for a wedding with their whole family.
I was so excited to see them again and to meet their 3 amazing children, who I instantly fell in love with. During the session it was like no time had passed at all between all of us. That is the way it is with old friends that you grow up with. Those early years form such lasting impressions and bonds unlike any other time in life.
I’m today thankful for social media and the connections it allows us to keep.
