My Life in Pictures and Words: Seniors :: The Longest Awaited Session with Melanie

To know how much this session means to me, you'd have to know how long I have known Melanie. I remember her as a little kid taking her brothers up to be blessed in church. I remember her as the best friend to my mom's best friend's daughter. It wasn't until Mel reached Jr. High/High School that I really got to know her. As they say, that's all it took! Mel is the funniest, crudest, most honest person I have ever met. If you don't want the truth, don't ask for it! She also has the loudest mouth which is ironic for how small it actually is ;) (sorry Mel, I had to!).

There was a time when there wasn't a time Melanie was at my house. We were the best baking buddies and would stay up all hours to bake. Her family was one of the first ones to entrust me to take their family photos. They were one of the first repeat customers. It was a given I would take Melanie's senior photos. We have been talking about it for so long that I was shocked when Mel's life took a turn for the future and she got a job at the nursing home with rare free time. I watched as I took not one, not two, but five other senior photo shoots in front of hers!

Melanie is the strongest, most mature 18 year old I know. She is like a mom to her younger brothers and helps out her family all the time. She loves them beyond anything else. She is driven and always keeps an eye on the future with a realistic mindset. She has decided to go to Salt Lake Community College to complete her generals and then wants to transfer to the University of Utah to finish up a Pre-Med degree and eventually on to her Doctorate. As proud as I am of her accomplishments, I am going to miss her borrowing (for years at a time) my clothes, and swapping stories, and staying up till 3 am baking because we couldn't pinpoint one thing to make so had to make it all. I'll miss her easy laugh and relaxed nature. It was a very bittersweet session, but one I am so proud to present!