Sooo, I have a lot on my plate today. Well, this week, really. But Aaron and I are taking a personal day tomorrow, so that automatically makes this week feel short, and every day extra-pressured to get a lot done. And that’s how I’m feeling right now. (So why, you ask, did I decide to straighten my hair today adding an extra 45 minutes to my morning routine?! The world may never know the answer to such mysteries….) But the fun thing is that I have quite the variety of things to work on. Photos ranging from a beautiful outdoor wedding, to floral work and details, and as unlikely as it seems, to photos of my dad’s favorite car (Betsy) that has been a part of my life for as long as I’ve been alive. He asked me to do a photoshoot of it one of the last times I was home, and it’s been a few months, now, and he has yet to see the finished images. (Ahem)

Sadly, work for family often gets pushed to the back burner when life gets busy (though my Dad understands, being that he’s self-employed and runs a deadline-driven business, himself) but I’m finding an unexpected joy in knowing that I have photos of Betsy to work on. I know, weird right? I’m not exactly a car photographer, and certainly no car expert. But, the car reminds me of my Dad, and all of the amazing memories that I have of being in it with him. Just looking at the shots of the car take me back to my entire childhood – my entire growing up until moving here to Virginia two years ago, really. I love that my Dad has always been excited about this car (it was actually his first car, ever! But he’s spruced it up over time) and that even when I, in my ignorant innocence, scraped the side of it with a rock when I was like 3 years old (I’m sure I thought I was being helpful!) he never lost his temper. He’s never valued even his most precious belongings over his kids or his family. Sure, he loves the car, but what he’s always loved more was taking us places in the car. I can remember trips to get ice cream on summer evenings and cruises around town, waving out the window at friends, and so many more. And see, I love that I can glance at a picture of what is, for all practical purposes, “just a car” and be reminded of the love and character of my Dad.

So today, as I work on getting a lot of things done, I’m grateful for the comforting and familiar reminder of my family and childhood. For my Dad, and all that he’s invested into me and my business over the years, only to have me get to the point where I’m too busy to get his stuff done in a timely manner. Hah. But for real….where would we be without supportive, loving, gracious parents like that? I’m so, so grateful. And Dad, if you’re reading this….at least know that your photos are officially on the to-do list and will really be done in the very near future. :)

Happy Tuesday, friends.