I feel like I have never been one that deeply connects to people very fast. It takes years. Don’t get me wrong, I love people and I can quickly connect to someone but it is usually on a more superficial level. I have always been alright with being the “lone wolf” and just sticking to doing things by myself. Throughout the years, friends have come and gone but Brooke has managed to tolerate me for an entire decade!
The beginning of our friendship started at cheer camp during the summer of 2007 at University of Utah. We were roommates during this camp and spent the nights talking about boys we were dating and other high school girl drama. The following Easter, My mom and I were visiting my grandma at her assistant living facility. During the Easter service, my mom turned to me, pointed to a girl and said, “That girl looks a lot like Brooke”. I looked at the girl, started laughing and responded, “Well, that’s because that IS Brooke’. We discovered that day that our grandmothers have been living in the same facility for quite sometime. Another strange thing we had in common was the fact that we both are the only girls in the family and we each have 3 brothers. We have always joked that we were meant to be sisters but God separated us because he knew that our parents wouldn’t have been able to handle us.
While visiting Utah a few weeks back, Brooke let me take some maternity photos. I am still learning so much about photography and editing so I was thankful that she was a willing to be a learning subject for me especially since this day was pouring rain. Every time I take photos, I learn something new and I have discovered that the most difficult thing for me so far is finding the correct lighting settings on the camera. I will think it looks great on the screen and then I will load the photos onto the computer and all of the sudden the lighting is all kinds of crazy. I’ll get it right one of these days. Until then, you all will have to deal with it. The good thing thought is that Brooke is beautiful and makes these photos pretty no matter how the original lighting was 🙂 Also, I am so excited for baby boy to be here, I can’t wait to squeeze him.
On a side note about my anti-social behaviors: About 2 years ago, I made it a personal goal to make more of an effort to get to know people on a more personal level and I have really noticed that by opening myself up a little bit more, and allowing myself to get to know others better, I been able to develop some pretty amazing friendships. Still a work in progress but it has been a fun challenge.
Thank goodness for good friends!
*Photos taken at Willard Bay Gardens in Willard Utah. One of my favorite places growing up and also where my first job was at! Thank you Barney and Della, you are amazing people.
Kayla Lemons 