But I learned something new about that feeling a couple of weeks ago. It never occurred to me that I could feel that way about someone else's children, and yet there I was, feeling it for children who are not mine. Except that they are mine... sort of.
I have a sister. She's almost exactly 2 years younger than me. She is one of the most dear and special people in my life, and she currently lives 5,942 miles away from me. She has 3 young children of her own, and until last month, I'd not seen them for 19 1/2 months, and hadn't even met her youngest. I spent one wonderful week with them, and found myself loving those children in that way-- that I-love-you-so-much-it-hurts-and-please-don't-go-away-from-me way.
And now I understand what it means to be an Aunt. To my own Aunt Merril Lynn:: now I get it. Now I understand how you feel about us, because I feel it for Elizabeth's children. This was an incredibly valuable lesson for me to learn.
To Emeline, Jarom & Wesley :: Auntie Rachel loves you! And I can't wait to see you again soon. Big big hugs. xo.
My main subject was a young boy named Finny. He likes pirates. A lot.
Finny recently turned four and had a big pirate party, complete with a humongous blow-up pirate ship drink-holder.
Finny likes hitting balls with his dad (although his parents don't necessarily encourage the baseball playing...).
He has fantastic hair, and he's finally old enough to have an opinion:: he gets tired of 31-year-old women telling him that.
Finny likes tomatoes and basil, and eats them together straight from the plants in his garden.
I think he's rather hard to impress, but I figured out quickly that if you just talk pirates with this boy, he'll open up.
I enjoyed watching (and photographing) him two weeks ago. He showed me the garden. We played in his room. He had a decent wrestling match with his dad (Finny won). And half way through, we watched a bull snake (was that what it was?) catch, strangle and eat a mouse. True story.
Here's a little peek of what came from that night::
I can't believe its been a whole year since Finny's last year shoot!! He has sure grown! He sure is one handsome little boy!
(08.26.10 @ 04:19 PM)beautiful light and sweet little ringlets. lotsa personality in these darling shots.
(08.26.10 @ 05:23 PM)Ummm yeah seriously..that hair rocks. Beautiful images! He is so cute.
(08.27.10 @ 12:08 PM)Hi Rachel! Would love to have you come to MY backyard for a photo session! :)
(08.28.10 @ 04:22 PM)blown away by both the hair AND your images of said hair, rach. beautiful, glorious family! :)
(08.30.10 @ 11:11 AM)my word, he's such a cutie! LOVE the hair...
(08.31.10 @ 05:14 PM)Just a little peek at our session together.
Christy, I think you're fantastic. You've got a lovely family and I'm so pleased to know you! All the best!!
ps. I LOVE the light and shadows in this shot:::
thank you so much for sharing your time and talent with us. You are so sweet and great to work with and your talent is amazing! This is a night that I will never forget. Thank you, thank you!
(08.08.10 @ 12:10 AM)Fun location, fabulous images. These are wonderful. And yes...a BABYSITTER! What a fantastic idea.
(08.09.10 @ 12:08 AM)What a super cute family... TOTALLY ADORABLE images!! Love how full of life they are and that gorgeous evening light.
(08.15.10 @ 10:35 AM)It's been so entertaining to watch her develop a little personality and find her place in our family!
The eyelashes!
(07.28.10 @ 07:40 PM)The eyelashes!
(07.28.10 @ 07:40 PM)I can't wait to kiss your sweet little cheeks, beautiful baby! She is a doll Rach. Two more weeks... two more weeks...
(07.29.10 @ 12:13 AM)She is so precious! Your kids are stunning Rachel.
(07.29.10 @ 01:05 PM)I looked at your blog while feeding Benjamin lunch and the instant he saw Maura he smiled so big and started talking to her in a high pitched sound...so cute! She is adorable and I can't wait to meet her in person someday. Hope all is well!
(07.29.10 @ 02:13 PM)Love these! I forget that she's the same age as Marek - it's fun to see her "growing up" with mine! :)
(08.01.10 @ 07:27 PM)Rach, you make BEAUTIFUL kiddos!! Oh my goodness, she is such a doll!! I want to squeeze her : )
(08.03.10 @ 09:15 AM)what a gorgeous little punkin! SO fun to watch her grow through your images, my friend. :)
(08.07.10 @ 04:31 PM)I love that I have a 3 1/2 year old who still takes a long nap every afternoon.
I love that I found her in my bed today.
I love that there was a little stack of books right next to her.
I love those lips.
This is so cute! Gosh I miss you guys! :)
(07.21.10 @ 05:42 PM)Sweet pea. These are beautiful. Seriously the light in your room is so amazing. I knew it when I saw it. And the stack of books? Soooo precious. She is going to be a reader. Something I wish for all of my children.
(07.21.10 @ 05:43 PM)Darling :)
(07.21.10 @ 06:50 PM)I love this precious moment you've captured. Nothing better than clean white sheets and a sweet little sleeping beauty!!
(07.21.10 @ 09:48 PM)Rachel - that sleeping one is PRICELESS!!!! absolutely perfect.
(07.22.10 @ 05:54 AM)Oh my goodness I LOVE that last picture!! She's such a little beauty- and I love the white shirt and white sheets and gorgeous eyelashes. And those cute little lips!
(07.27.10 @ 01:01 PM)Your sweet sleeping beauty melts my heart!! These are some of the sweetest images I have ever seen. Gorgeous, Rach, simply gorgeous!!
(07.28.10 @ 02:29 PM)
Oh such a sweet post. And beautiful pictures... what an amazing location!
(09.03.10 @ 01:25 PM)Made me cry Rach. A lot. I miss you. And I get it too. I miss Elias. And sweet Row. And Maura Clare. Love you so much- and thanks for the great pictures. You're amazing.
(09.03.10 @ 02:01 PM)BEAUTIFUL!
(09.03.10 @ 03:06 PM)