A long time ago.
;)
I had already photographed brother Troy (class of '08) and sister Cori ('11), and it wasn't long after that the first salvo was fired.
"You've got TWO years to get ready for ME!"
Terry and Kim Mapes' baby girl, Krystal Nicole... was the third and final senior installment from Team Mapes... and while most folks down Newton way don't know that I exist in Montour, Iowa, this family found me... and has never strayed.
So when senior number three rolled around I was anticipating a challenge like no other... and not because of what i anticpated... but because of what SHE wanted me to anticipate.
Krystal walked in Friday afternoon... and the first thing out of our curly haired pistol?
"I'm not half as bad as you've been told."
I laughed.
Mama Kim then said.... "ummm... I think YOU are the reason he might think that!"
True story. :)
If I'm being honest... I knew that Krystal's schtick is merely a front for the truth... and the truth is... I wasn't surprised that Mapes child number three would be every bit as enjoyable to get to know as the other two.
Why? Because that's what God challenges us as parents to do.
I've mentioned before in the realm of this ridiculous blog a universal truth and that is that it is our job as parents to ensure that our children are not just enjoyable to us... but more importantly, perhaps... that they are joys for others to be around.
As a brother in Christ, I am a like-minded believer with Team Mapes... and am unashamed to admit that. Even if it might not be "P.C." as a business owner to bring that up in such a public forum.
There's a common thread that has run through all three of Terry and Kim's children... and it's no mistake that they have all been a joy to be around... and that I've truly looked forward to each and every session.
Somehow, I was made to think that THIS session was gonna be more of a challenge than the other two... but reality is, Krystal had met her match.
Why is that?
We both found out that while we had a similar belief system... we also both subscribed to another creed.
Wanna-be country stars...
I haven't made any secret that this senior busy season has found the camera room's XM radio (as well as my nightly visit with Pandora radio) has been dominated by the likes of Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jana Kramer, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, and my standby, Taylor Swift.
So when Krystal told me she too worshiped at the altar of Country Wanna-Be's, I knew that we were in for a fun session.
Make no mistake... it was no accident that the photographer's favorite outfit was the one that included the shorts and cowgirl boots... I kidded her when Love and Theft's hit "Angel Eyes" came on in the camera room.. that it was her theme song that, indeed... there was a little bit of devil in her those brown eyes. ;)
I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't extremely jealous to find out that Krystal is going to be attending an VIP acoustic Aldean/Bryan set put on for just 1500 fans in Kansas.
Seriously? Wow. Good to have friends in high places, huh?
Overall, I told Krystal that after all the warnings and build up... I thought she took it pretty easy on me. I suppose it might be difficult to bowl someone over when they are almost one and the same with ya. :)
Two peas in a pod? No doubt.
Great to see the Mapes fam again... can't tell ya that enough. Thanks for all your support over the years.
God Bless.
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