What did I learn?
Never say never.
Amy Harris' quest to have her senior pictures done at Stewart Photography began, at the very least, eight months ago when we sent our materials to her last June.
Miss Harris never completely let me forget about her as she would periodically chime in on facebook to remind me that she WAS getting her senior pictures done by me.
I've heard that a time or two in nearly two decades of doing this. I've also learned that until Mama Bear gets on board with the whole idea... it may not mean a whole lot as to what the young lady wants.
Summer turned into Fall... and Fall turned into Winter... and despite Amy's insistence as late as November that this was still going to become reality... it never did.
Then the phone rang.
It was February 7... and I was caught in the middle of what is typically our slowest and most grey month of the year annually.
"This is Patches Harris."
Patches? What a COOL name!
Finally. Evidently, Amy had done just enough arm twisting and had been patient enough to get Mama Patches off the fence and on the phone, and at long last... the ball was rolling.
It was just a few days later... and the ladies were walkin' in the door. BFF Emily wasn't far behind and was in charge of moral support/smile fetching.
Evidently old work buddies from Jimmy John's... Emily could get a real smile out of her pal like freaky fast. (insert groan here). :)
We talked about work... both old and new (Amy now is a friendly smile in some aisle at Hy-Vee) and Miss Harris also told me she plans on working on folks' smiles even AFTER high school as she wants to attend DMACC next year and work on becoming a dental assistant.
Patches made a mad dash home to snatch Amy's forgotten saxophone for a few images (we won't tell the authorities how fast she was burning up Highway 30) and other than that, the girls just had two requests.
Amy had a tattoo on her right foot that says, "Keep moving forward." I was told it was inspired by a quote from Walt Disney. The result can be seen at the bottom of this blog. Finally, Mom asked if she might make one request.
With a quiver in her voice... and glossy eyes she looked up at me and said. "I want one image to say, 'Today, Tomorrow and Always,'"
"Because that's when I'll love her."
Deal, Mrs. Harris. Deal.
