I was 15 years old when I met Ashley (Binner) Outlaw, which means that we've known one another for almost 15 years now. Wow, sorry friend that I just gave away the fact that we'll both see 30 this April. ;)
I can't always recall the first time that I meet someone, although I'd like to - I just have a pretty awful memory that way. However, my memory is crystal clear in regards to the first day that I met Ashley. Two weeks before I started my sophomore year at West High School, I had the oh-so-pleasant task of having to walk through the entire football team to get to the gym for volleyball try-outs. Just try to make yourself invisible while walking through a tunnel of boys in their padded uniforms . . . awful. As I rounded the corner, there in the bleachers were rows upon rows of girls . . . just staring at me as Coach Young introduced me as the "new girl from Austin". Gulp.
Needless to say, I thankfully made it through our first practice and as I was leaving the gym, Ashley ran over to me and introduced herself. She asked if I'd be up for swimming at her friend Brooke's house and if I needed a ride, then they could give me a lift. Imagine making friends like this two weeks before school even began, they were my lifesavers. Ashley and Brooke were the first friends I made in West and I owe them so much in making my high school experience a great one. How many people can say that they actually loved high school? I'm so thankful that they took a chance on me and took me under their wings that year, I will forever have a special place in my heart for them.
Speaking of taking chances, Ashley was the first of my friends to reach out to me in asking if I would take pictures of she and her oh-so-charismatic and adorable son, Jace. She took a chance on me, knowing that I hadn't been at this whole picture taking business for long and for that I am truly grateful. She was also the first to turn one of my images below into her Christmas card this year!
I had such a great time on this shoot. If you can't tell by the photos below, Jace is quite the character and just so lovable. It's extremely apparent that they equally adore one another and both share an affection for laughter. Jace decided half-way through that the huge blue ball he brought along for the shoot was becoming an annoyance, so he sneakily threw it into Lady Bird Lake, along with his socks. Ha! She shrugged it off as any patient mom would do. Ashley has the toughest job imaginable - single parenthood. I commend her for her strength and admire her sweet, fun spirit. She loves this boy with her entire being and for that, she gets my vote for "Mother of the Year".
Thank you, Ashley for being a dear friend to me over the years and I only hope that we can spend more time together and definitely make up for lost time. Love you, sweet friend.
Best wishes,
I can't always recall the first time that I meet someone, although I'd like to - I just have a pretty awful memory that way. However, my memory is crystal clear in regards to the first day that I met Ashley. Two weeks before I started my sophomore year at West High School, I had the oh-so-pleasant task of having to walk through the entire football team to get to the gym for volleyball try-outs. Just try to make yourself invisible while walking through a tunnel of boys in their padded uniforms . . . awful. As I rounded the corner, there in the bleachers were rows upon rows of girls . . . just staring at me as Coach Young introduced me as the "new girl from Austin". Gulp.
Needless to say, I thankfully made it through our first practice and as I was leaving the gym, Ashley ran over to me and introduced herself. She asked if I'd be up for swimming at her friend Brooke's house and if I needed a ride, then they could give me a lift. Imagine making friends like this two weeks before school even began, they were my lifesavers. Ashley and Brooke were the first friends I made in West and I owe them so much in making my high school experience a great one. How many people can say that they actually loved high school? I'm so thankful that they took a chance on me and took me under their wings that year, I will forever have a special place in my heart for them.
Speaking of taking chances, Ashley was the first of my friends to reach out to me in asking if I would take pictures of she and her oh-so-charismatic and adorable son, Jace. She took a chance on me, knowing that I hadn't been at this whole picture taking business for long and for that I am truly grateful. She was also the first to turn one of my images below into her Christmas card this year!
I had such a great time on this shoot. If you can't tell by the photos below, Jace is quite the character and just so lovable. It's extremely apparent that they equally adore one another and both share an affection for laughter. Jace decided half-way through that the huge blue ball he brought along for the shoot was becoming an annoyance, so he sneakily threw it into Lady Bird Lake, along with his socks. Ha! She shrugged it off as any patient mom would do. Ashley has the toughest job imaginable - single parenthood. I commend her for her strength and admire her sweet, fun spirit. She loves this boy with her entire being and for that, she gets my vote for "Mother of the Year".
Thank you, Ashley for being a dear friend to me over the years and I only hope that we can spend more time together and definitely make up for lost time. Love you, sweet friend.
Best wishes,
These are great? You captured there personalities perfectly.
ReplyDeleteDanielle