It occurred to me that every photo I have posted until now has been more artsy than anything else. This week's photo is different. This is perhaps one of my favorite photos I have ever taken (and probably Kelly's least). It is of Kelly in a tent laughing and exhausted after making up the campsite... all with the bling on.
When I left for college at the end of the summer in 2001, I had just begun to date Kelly. She left for Presbyterian College, and I for Berry College. We met up the first weekend we were both free and went camping in South Carolina. This was our first trip together, and my first trip in college. When I look at this photo, I truly understand how a photo tells a thousand words. I don't just see a girl laughing. I see the memory of sitting around a campfire talking until the fire died. I see our first hike together. I remember how annoyed I was when I had to escort her to the bathroom at 3 a.m. because she was scared to go by herself. I see my life as it was, with my entire college carrier in front of me, without a single clue as to what I wanted out of it. I remember getting so excited about teaching someone all about how to camp; instructing on proper tent set-up, lantern lighting, campfire cooking. I remember feeling so good seeing how impressed she was.
When I look at that photo I don't just see an early memory of my wife. I see a whole chapter of my life that has closed. But this is not sad. It's like a favorite book. You hate to finish it, but you can always go back and reread it. Sure, it's not going to be as good as the first time, but it can be just as good for other reasons... we mature, we learn to read between the lines.
12 comments:
Wow, you hit the nail on the head. After we graduated Berry, we truly did close a chapter...no, a book, in our lives. I think back to the good times on 9th Dana, 2nd Dana, Cubano's, on the football field, etc etc etc etc...it sure was a helluva ride wasn't it? I wouldn't change a thing or have it any other way. Here's to good times.
Oh, and happy new year!
OH MY GOSH, I can't believe you put that picture of me on your blog!!!! I HATE that picture- hello 5 chins. Thanks.
five chins my big toe kelly! nothings better than a happy girl. your smile is beautiful and so are you!
Haha, kel, it is a cute pic. Was that the first time you had ever gone camping? you must have really loved ben to go to all that trouble.... the kelly i knew in high school would NOT have slept outside, in a tent! hehe.
Oh my gosh, HELLO I have on a skinny strap white tank with a built in bra. :-)
Just checking... I'm trying to defend your honor, geez.
yeah, the shirt looks like it's part of the blanket. Thanks for being my knight Ange :-)
She must have been something b/c I remember driving all around SSI the latter half of the summer "looking for" Ben. I put that in (") b/c looking is a polite way to say what she made me do.
HAHA. Love ya Kell
Looking, stalking, is that really a bad thing?
Nah, not if you know what you want and it doesnt get creepy.
Robbie, i totally remember coming home after freshman year, she made me take her to the senior house to find him. that was the last place i wanted to be. Then, she found him and made me drive in circles so they could 'talk'. 10 min later she said she did not need my services any more, that she was going to hang out there for a while... i was hurt! it was definitely not the way i planned on spending my first week back from school :) love you kel!
hahahaa! Good times- I had to make him swoon over me in my hot outfit ;-)sorry I abandoned you Goat ;-)
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