{Behind the Scenes} Something Beautiful

Truth is: I don’t usually like pictures of myself. And, really, the sillier they are, the less likely I am to like them. But, you know, I really like this picture of Holly and I. So, I thought I’d tell you about the picture and about us.

I met Holly just before I walked out of the newsroom for the last time because she was my replacement. Not long after claiming my desk as hers, she emailed me with a question. We emailed a little and then decided to meet at Quiznos. I came with a 4-month-old girl that day and Holly came with openness and willingness. We befriended each other that day. Yes, I answered some questions about reporting in this small town of ours, but that was only the foundation for a friendship that had so much more in store for me.

Holly has since moved from Murray to New Mexico and back and then to Texas {… and back, I think.} You know, keeping up with her current location is kind of hard because she’s like a gypsy, but I’ve never had a problem keeping up with her. We email, text, write, chat on Gmail, sometimes call, Facebook and make plans. Anyway, she lives in Texas now, but she wanted to celebrate her 30th birthday at Kentucky Lake, which really is like home to her.

So we gathered at the lake and celebrated Holly. But, really, we all ended up celebrating friendship and real life, where people’s lives cross paths and we become better people through it all. There was a love fest and counters full of delicious food. We laughed and some cried and so many stories were told.

One of my favorite things about Holly is she’s only ever known me as a mom but that hasn’t stopped her from seeing beyond that one role in this one season of mothering little ones. She sees me. She doesn’t have kids and isn’t married, yet she’s encouraged me as a mom, as a wife, as a writer, and as a Christian.

We’ve connected over writing, traveling, becoming more, processing life, and seeking truth. A little bit of everything all rolled up in one friendship. This past weekend she gave me {I know, seriously, it was her birthday party!} a quilt she made from scraps from other quilts. Really, it’s so appropriate for us. It’s comfortable and a hod podge of different pieces coming together to make something beautiful. 

I walked out of a newsroom six years ago, ready to tackle this motherhood journey. And, yes, there were diaper changes and sippy cups and a new schedule that worked itself around naptimes. But there also was this beautiful friendship that has blessed my everyday life, even across the miles.

And, you know, I like myself better in pictures when she’s in them with me because even when we aren’t framed by the camera lens I know she sees me.