sheye and krysta. Two gorgeous women that I got to know exactly one year ago. Krysta hired me for a full on girl power photo shoot, to have fun and dress up and be pretty. They brought champagne and antique frocks. I brought my bike, my quilt, my chairs… I am still picking sticks out of my quilt, one year later. It was worth it. I think of them each time I find one. We had followed each others work for years, so it was wonderful to finally meet. I photographed them in a field and we became friends, immediately.

Krysta is from the midwest. Sheye is from Australia. It was a treat to get to see them again this time around. Again, they brought champagne, and I brought a quilt. No one was working. We just wanted a night together.

I may come off constantly as super cheesy, and I guess I am in a way. I am realistically cheesy, okay? I don’t walk around in a naive little bubble of happiness. But, a little about magic. There it is, there it can be, in so many moments of our lives. I don’t want to miss out on any of it. So I pay attention. I wait and watch closely for it. Discovering it gives me the same type of adrenaline rush as scoring a major find at a flea market or garage sale. Only it lasts longer. I talk about it when I see it…when I feel it…because I live for it.

Who doesn’t want to point out a rainbow when they see one?

This night was pure unadulterated magic. A rainbow. I left them at the end of the night, full. Content. Sure of myself. Confident. Relaxed. Blissed out. Feeling amazing. Feeling grateful for their attention and time.

Life tries to take me over with stress from work and discipline and health and cleaning and routine and working on change. I am actually okay with those things, because they are one part of life. My Life. A life I am grateful to have. I am strong enough to handle it. I manage the stress better and better the older I get. But I want a balance. I want the magic mixed in. Like a sprinkle of pink glitter on a term paper.

I do not want the monotony of life to ever overshadow moments like this. I will seek out and make more time for moments like this.

And in between, I will pay attention.

xo

Tara

Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.

-Roald Dahl

post edit: Sheye has posted more photos from our night, you can view them here.