God brings certain people into our lives in ways we never expect, for reasons we do not foresee, in His perfect timing. This is Melody. Over the course of this past year, she has become my closest friend and confidant. We met last year when she called me out of the blue from California as a fellow photographer to talk pre-school photos. She called again months later to ask if I’d come out to California to collaborate on a photography workshop. For the past several months, we’ve spoken almost daily…. multiple times a day (and many late nights). You know when you meet someone and you just *click*? They just get you and you get them? That’s us. We are complete opposites in many ways… I’m a planner and highly analytical. She flies by the seat of her pants, goes with the flow and is self-admitedly a bit scattered. Together, we balance each other out. When I’m worrying too much or doubting myself, she swoops in to put things into perspective and boost me up. She is kind, generous to a fault, beyond loving, ultra caring, selfless, loves whole-heartedly, uplifting, a complete goof (which I adore), gorgeous inside and out and absolutely a blessing to me.

While out in CA this past week, we ventured out for a family session. While things didn’t exactly go as planned and we figured we’d chalk it up as a loss, I was delightfully surprised when I sat down to edit these images… and I couldn’t stop myself, hence this post that is bursting at the seams. Melody, I hope you know how much your friendship means to me. –How much I treasure the short time we’ve had in CA these past couple of months and all our crazy, often abrupt and receptionless calls. Love you. (…. and Conan, you’re not so bad yourself!)

There is magic in long-distance friendships.  They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.  ~Diana Cortes