Right off the bat, I have to say that I have some astonishingly beautiful friends. Something I've long suspected from seeing pictures of these magical creatures, and I'm stunned in an intangibly profound way at just how much more beautiful every single person I had the luxury of spending time with actually is in person. I am completely floored by and in awe of each of you. </gush>
We got to Atlanta, and just as I was about to call
After much squeeing and bounciness that we were finally getting to spend a day together,
We drove to Roxx Tavern, one of my new favorite places in Atlanta. Very cozy and relaxed and no fuss, great staff (we love you, Kim!) and a huge streetside patio. We waited for the others to show up, and eventually I spotted two of them approaching the door - I ran outside and was immediately greeted with this amazing, huge smile from

By 8:30 it was time for us to head out to our last stop of the evening before heading home, and I was prepped for an experience I've wanted longer than I can tell you. Not more than three or four miles away at that very moment, a friend from out-of-town was finishing dinner and about to head out into the city for the night. We jumped into the truck after receiving yet more hugs from


Yesterday was so near perfect that I wasn't even bothered as much as I would normally be by the fact that I didn't get to see/spend time with
The whole experience of yesterday made me so deliriously happy that I forgot to document it all in pictures, can you believe that? Conversely (and coincidentally enough) it has also reaffirmed for me what my photography is really all about, and I'm more driven than ever now to transfer to image what I see in my head and heart more cleanly and earnestly than ever. It has also made me acutely aware of how much need there is in me to spend as much time with all of these amazing beings as I possibly can, every opportunity I can get. Nothing all day made me feel as happy as having these folks I adore so much smile broadly at me and give me these intense, wholly-consuming hugs, then going the extra mile and including me in part of their day. There's a saying that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. To each of you I had the miraculous opportunity to spend time with over the duration of yesterday, however long or however fleeting, it is my sincere hope that you're all lifetime people. I'll gratefully accept you in whatever way is already chosen for me, but I hope you're all lifetime people. I suspect you will be, and I feel very purposeful and fulfilled by the prospect. To those of you I wished were there but weren't for one reason or another, everything in its own time - I love you just as much.
What a lucky man I am...
Duran Duran - Perfect Day