Wednesday, November 18, 2009

From the Archives

The four pictures I chose for this months header may seem random, but really they represent four very unique things: my favorite pictures of all time. Well, at least for today.

First, this picture:OHS Sweethearts=funnest high school dance memory. Besides the fact that we look 12 years old, he and I are actually 18 and 17, respectively. Naturally, as seniors in high school we had the world by the tail. This date dance was in February of 2000, the same year we fell in love, broke up, graduated, fell back in love, mission call, started college, and on and on. But you could have guessed the year even if I hadn't told you because of 1) my zig-zag hair part, and 2) his Abercrombie graphic tee. Both dead give-aways of our high school days. What you can't see are my Silver Jeans and chunky boots from Bakers (anyone?). This picture embodies everything I loved about being that age, that innocent, and that ambitious.

Second, this picture:It's me, when little, rockin' a skateboard and sporting a Harley Davidson tee. Mom used to pull my hair back with two yellow butterfly barrettes so that I wouldn't look like a rag-a-muffin. It was a constant battle she would never win between her youngest daughter not complying with the frilly dresses and violin playing she had envisioned. Those barrettes were perhaps the only girly thing I would allow anywhere near my being for the next decade. You'll also notice that I'm holding the skateboard, not riding it. This is key. What you don't see is my older brother daringly flying his skateboard off a homemade ramp head first onto the cement driveway. And I'm just standing there holding my skateboard as if to say go ahead idiot brother, crack your head open, I'll just be a bad-ass from safely over here. It's so me.

Then there is this picture:Taken recently in October, there is nothing specifically dramatic or compelling about this photo other than it marks a really good day. One of those days I'll never forget for no reason other than it was a Sunday afternoon, beautiful fall weather, I'd just woken up from a nap, we went for a walk in the park, collected leaves, and snapped a picture. Amid months and months of seemingly complicated bad days, the simplicity of a single good day seems to stand out. I love those days and I particularly loved that day.

And lastly, there is this gem:My little cowboy man in his plaid shirt, jean vest, boots and buckle. But the thing that really gets me about this picture is the buckle: it says "Brad" on it. I'm in love with it, I don't know why. The buckle's whereabouts are unknown, but his mom never threw away anything remotely sentimental so it must exist. My life will not be complete until we find it. I can hardly look at this photo without grinning. Not only because of my buckle fixation, but because of his little boy hair, little boy face, and little boy smile. All of it, including the rattan chair, just melts my heart completely. Plus he is properly sitting upright like such a good little boy. But I'm no fool.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

i love love love this post. The bad ass picture of yourself is just perfecT! such a cute little kid. and brad....this picture is classic. Love you both!

Lacy said...

L.O.V.E. This post. Can wevtalk about that first pic? Zig zag part, abercrombie shirt, hilarious. I loved going to bakers. If you want to know the truth, I still own some shoes from there.

Whitnée said...

1. You are gorgeous.
2. Does every Mum use the rag-a-muffin line?
3. Really good days ARE the best and you look REALLY happy in that picture - love it.
4. hahahaha, oh Brad.

Thompson Family said...

Oh my gosh! Loved this post. The pictures are so stinking cute and I couldn't help but just crack up with the first picture. OHS 2000! Fun days! Thanks for taking me down memory lane. I almost feel like doing a zig zag part today and pulling out my chunky shoes-if only I could find that box!

Two Wheeler said...

The skateboard picture is my favorite of all time!

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

awww...the zigzag part. Cute pictures of you two. Is it bad that I just bought a pair of Silver jeans?! I like how they make my butt look. :)

gina bina said...

Kami, I love that you just bought Silver jeans! I loved mine more than anything (something about how they made my butt look) and actually just got ride of them last year.

C*K*J said...

Loving this post, these pictures and thebradleeduncans!
A cowboy and his bad ass girl. Nice!

cathy said...

So sweet, I love it. There is something about the picture taken this fall with you and Brad-there is happiness eminating from it somehow. I know that sounds cheesy, but it makes me want to have that same moment, everything looks perfect and peaceful for at least that shot, maybe it's your smile, I don't know, all I can say is I feel it.

The Adams Family said...

I'm not sure how many times my mom said I looked like a rag-a-muffin. That's too funny! Love this post.

The Adams Family said...

I'm not sure how many times my mom said I looked like a rag-a-muffin. That's too funny! Love this post.

mrs. farlanderz said...

this post is making me smile so huge, like a big goof right now.
and I too am a bad-ass from 'safely over here'. i often wish tay were too. but alas, the homemade ramps are his bread and butta.