Yep. I know, right?! Just GLORIOUS. That’s the bride of this post, Laurin, and I in the 6th grade. Maaaaaaan. The things I would tell my 11 year old self if I could go back (do something with your hair and ditch the puka shell necklace girl!) but I guess that’s the point right? Hindsight is 20-20 LOL.
Laurin and I were best friends in junior high. We had so much fun at sleepovers, school, friends houses, and the mall (ha!). I went on vacation with her family (those photos are staying buried, friends–sorry not sorry), she came to family events at my house, and we just got along great. Well, you know how it goes….life happens, and even though we pinky swore in 8th grade that we’d be BFF’s forever and never lose touch, we went to different (rival) high schools and lost touch. Again, the things I’d tell my younger self….
But that’s ok! We have talked here and there over the past 15 years, and had a nice catch-up convo earlier in 2015. We updated each other on our lives, and she told me about her upcoming wedding. I told her I was a photographer, and was loving what I did. One thing led to another, and I found myself happily photographing the Paskin wedding in Clovis in September. It was so great to see Laurin. I got to see her daughter, Gracie, who I hadn’t seen since she was a baby. I got to see Laurin’s Mom, and meet her husband and young son. I got to meet Nick, one of the sweetest, most genuine men I’ve ever met. I got to see a GORGEOUS venue, and I think I even spotted my 7th grade science teacher. But best of all, I got to see my junior high best friend at the exact moment we dreamed and fantasized about when we were 11 years old: Marrying the love of her life. And let me tell you, it was so much better than I could have ever imagined! Now THAT I wouldn’t go back and tell to my younger self. That was worth the wait.
Love you Laurin! And I loved being your Merced Wedding Photographer too!
Find out more about this venue here: www.cloviscastle.org
