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For more reasons than just wrestling the cat into the photo: this is a family of strength. Through all types of adversity, they remain strong - their joyous demeanors never falter. Through all that life may bring, they are here for their community.

While at this session - my allergies started doing their thing. Sneezing, eyes tearing-up - the basic annoyances of a beautiful Spring day. As mine started, so did this boy’s. Besides sharing a name - we also share the same allergies. It was the topic of many of our conversations at the school. One little league season, I brought my EMS crew to cheer him and his team on at their game. It was the first time that I realized how important building a sense of community was. Distance learning is showing me that again - in an entirely new way. Remind others how important they are in the World, not just their school, place of work, or friend group.

I pulled into Amanda’s driveway for a surprise photo-session (fact: nobody likes a surprise photo session.) This is one of my best friends since fourth grade, so she understands my lack of time management, and went with it. I remained distant from her, her house, and her family. “Get away” we joke - but also - we mean it. With her senior year essays being completed from Redding instead of her Burlington apartment, I imagine everyone else my age who will go forward with the infamous title as “Class of 2020”. Amanda is making it work, as is every member of the Class of 2020, and they’re here for their communities

I never found social distance to be tough, until I started visiting houses that I’ve always walked into, or meeting kids who don’t quite understand. I’ve had to back away from a child trying to give me a hug - another left a flower on her driveway so that she could give it to me without contact. These are the things that will forever be part of my memory.