If you have been following me for any length of time, you know that I have a beautiful and willing niece who is always happy to be in front of my camera.  Last year for her senior pictures we did all 4 sessions for the 4 seasons of her senior year.  Not only was it fun to get beautiful images, but I got to spend a ton of time with my niece.  I treasured our time together exploring, being creative and taking photos together.  It was a great bonding time for us especially as she got closer to leaving for college.

So the day before graduation, Aunt Lisa struck again when I realized I would love to have some pictures of her in her cap and gown.  So I texted her and asked if she already had her cap and gown and if she wanted to have some pictures taken.  She readily agreed and even got up SUPER early on her graduation day so we could go up to Red Rocks and get some pictures.

It was a little bit chilly and we had to dodge cars, people and contend with the wind, but we still got some cool shots.  How amazing is it that our seniors get to graduate from the iconic Red Rocks?

Then we headed downtown to the courthouse.  I had in my mind some pictures of her surrounded by white columns and my vision came to life!

At one point she was 20 feet away from me and walking toward me with her cap and gown and I had to stop and take a moment and compose myself.  It was hard to believe that this beautiful, caring, ambitious, wonderful woman was graduating and leaving for college and wasn’t going to be a short 15 minute car ride away.  I remembered being at the hospital when she was born, taking days off of work so I could babysit and spend time with her and all of the time we had spent together over the last 18+ years and I started to cry.

She is the first “kid” and watching her hit all of these milestones has been so beautifully bittersweet.

#imnotcryingyouarecrying

I know that I am a bit biased, but she is so pretty!  I couldn’t have asked for a better model!

Less than 12 hours after we took these pictures, I got to watch her march across the stage at Red Rocks and receive her diploma.

This fall she is off to Tennessee to study nursing.  I am fine with that as long as she COMES BACK!

And Ash….just remember I will always have warm chocolate chip cookies ready for you when you want to come over and see us!  I love you so much and I can’t wait for this new chapter in your life.