Gosh. Editing these images brought tears to my eyes. Happy tears. Sad tears. I recently wrote Holly and thanked her for helping bring me back to life. It’s hard to find friends in this world who love you no matter what — through your faults, your struggles, your fears, your triumphs. It’s hard to meet people who you truly connect with — that listen with the intent to heal and love. I consider myself one of the luckiest people to have met Holly and I don’t know what I would do without her. She’s seen me hysterically laughing (and crying) and helped remind me what having a true spiritual relationship with a friend looks like.

Last fall, Holly was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was all I could do to hold it together because my life simply won’t work without her (and I know that sounds incredibly selfish)!! She’s my go-to person when I need someone to ground me, to listen to me and to remind me what’s important in life!  So when she was diagnosed with cancer I needed a minute to let it sink in. It’s hard to know how to help a friend when they get such a life changing diagnosis. It’s hard to know what to say. But I know I can take amazing photographs and I give a pretty darn good foot rub — so, that’s how I spent my December!

2015 was the year of finding independence and happiness in being alone. It was the year I saw part of the world and grew closer to myself. It was the year of figuring out what I need in life, in love, in friendship. It was the year I cut out anything that brought me down and added in people that brought strength to my soul.   And now here we are at 2016. 2016 is the year of Love. The year of finding joy and bringing joy to all those around me. Life is too short for anything else. I hope these images continue to bring joy to my dear friend who I will cherish always.