she jumped right in

when i was 4 there were things about me that i'm told were rather, amusing. i never wore shoes-never, i would walk through the doors of neighbors without so much as a knock, i practiced ballet in the bed of my dads pickup truck; because it felt like a stage, i loved dancing in the rain, and i often wore my slip outside thinking i was a beautiful princess. my poor mother.

i came home from this shoot energized. the rain fell, the puddles gathered, and the princess danced. i wonder when we got so self aware that we stopped playing so innocently. when did we turn into naysayers that worry about our hair getting wet or looking foolish for splashing? when did we stop dancing in the rain?

i encouraged bailey to do the things i secretly wanted to, because before long she might start to worry about the store keepers and passers by and forget how laughter comes so easily with the simple things. when we got in the car she whispered, "i love you", as innocent as that. i love you too bailey, happy birthday.