In denial... and that's ok...

I had seen it in one of her facebook statuses... but i had forgotten.

So when I asked Molly from HLV High School what she was planning to do NEXT year for college... I was reminded.

"I dunno... I try not to think about it... I don't wanna grow up."

:)

I certainly don't blame her... in fact... I've kinda made it my own life's mantra.   And as I have turned the corner of 40 years recently... I'm hanging on by a thread to the theory.

This girl they call Molly Katherine DeRycke certainly wasn't just giving lip service to the idea... she, i found, was geniune child-like fun trapped in an adult's body.  She wasn't ashamed to bust out the brash Molly-style that I'm POSITIVE that folks back in Warrior country have become accustomed to.   Believe it or not, initially... even I was intimidated by it...  even admitted as much to her mom... and her sister, Erynn... (who made her triumphant return to the studio... after becoming one of my all-time favs three years ago as a member of the Class of 2010 (see the 2011 senior mailer... it's Erynn rockin it on the cover... all by herself).

But, as the session went on... I did what I do best...  Fighting fire with fire... It wasn't long before I was trading barbs with Molly... even resorting to dropping the "McGee bomb" on her after I was informed of her hometown nickname by Team DeRycke.  :)

She'd probably never admit it... cause a gal like her never backs down... but I hope I earned the respect from her that I know her mom and Erynn were already on board have for me.   Molly had the proverbial big shoes to fill... but by the end of the session.. she had won me over, and I was asking if she and the rest of the DeRyckes were gonna come and back to fill my empty schedule the next day, just for fun.

;)

In retrospect... I think I have it figured out.  Hanging with Molly, Erynn and Mama Jill was like hangin' with old friends... flickin' each other crud.... the good memories... the inside jokes... the razzin'.... If I were Molly... I wouldn't wanna grow up and leave home, either.

Come visit any time, DeRycke family.  God willing I'll be around for the third and fourth session some day down the road.