… tell you who you are. – Diane Sawyer.
Trouble.
Some think men are harder to shoot, but I completely disagree… especially in large groups. Granted I’m not sure I’ve ever had a boring couple as bride and groom so it makes the men of the group that much more troublesome… aka brave, fun, willing to do anything… aka my favorite subjects to shoot. These are just a few of my favs… keeping in mind this blog is G rated.
I hope all of Adam’s girlfriends get access to this at some point. Adam and I grew up putting on plays together at family functions… one particular time, during The Lion King’s peak popularity, we decided to do a few song and dance numbers for the Thanksgiving show. See this was normal in our family. We’d go to whose ever house was scheduled for the holiday, eat all the deviled eggs put out for the first round then hole up in the basement and get the show ready. I was often the lead… not because I was the oldest girl or the bossiest or the scariest… it was pure talent that won me the role every time, ok?! SERIOUSLY. I was also usually the casting director and director… hmmm, wow I was busy. :) During this Lion King show, Adam bounced around with this floppy hair and sweat flying and those socks… his tube socks that paired with his aggressive feet flailing (aka dance moves) and the thin carpet, hung off the end of his foot approximately four inches. Bless his heart, the show must go on… he didn’t stop for one second to readjust them (not sure he even noticed) instead he continued and gave a glowing performance. He’s always been his own man… never let anyone tell him what he should be.
Then in high school, he went through the phase where he decided that it was a grand idea to only wear his dad’s or even grandfather’s sweaters… it’s cold up in Iowa but never, ever would I ever say it was that cold that he should’ve brought those out of the closet… he didn’t care. He drove a hatchback/station wagon type vehicle with a tape deck that always smelled of fresh soccer cleats… this was fine for him. In Spanish class, I’d occasionally look over and see him deep in thought, elbows on desk, hands grasped in front of his face… lips COMPLETELY pursed, almost like he was kissing something but instead he did this to hold his pencil between his upper lip and nose. I’m sure this was key in acing all his Spanish tests… he didn’t care who saw this creepy gesture. He’s always been his own person… I’ve always joked, but it’s out of sheer jealousy of his ability to win everyone’s hearts with his obnoxiously, wonderful loud laugh AND his complete comfort in his own skin.
Growing up in Iowa was an experience I look back on now and can say how truly lucky I was. But it wasn’t the simplicity of the midwest that completely made my childhood. It was growing up with my cousins of similar age all within five minutes driving distance. My cousin, Adam was my best friend in high school. No I’m not the least bit embarrassed to say that. Family is family… there is not an option there, they are blood, you are born and they are apart of you… some people despise this fact. I thank God every day for the fact they’re stuck with me. When you are surrounded by people that will stand by you for life, it makes the tough times a little more bearable… it makes you as a person a little more content. I now live about 891 miles from those that I call my anchors… 972 miles from Adam. It is hard… especially after being spoiled all my life of having them less than ten minutes away, but they’re affect on me never seems far. I know Adam is blood and he has to be my friend… but he’s never let anyone tell him who or what he should be… so I like to think he still chooses to be my friend! :)
In my most recent trip to Iowa I got to visit Adam in his big ol’ bachelor pad in Des Moines… he’s this big, bad boy lawyer that still works hard and still laughs loud. I couldn’t be any more proud of him and the fact that I get to call him my family and my friend. Stay who are are Adam… don’t let anyone tell you who you are… and don’t let anyone make you put flowers on that porch…
OHHH SAD. AUGUST 31… last day o August but have no fear we’ll round out the countdown into September… keep the party happening. #1 set to debut early Friday morning… then check back the following week for the new website set up and winner of ELP MONEY!
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