A year ago today ….

I woke up super early, nervous. So nervous I could barely get my breakfast down. It was the morning of my best friend’s wedding. And she’d picked ME to be her photographer. The girl who hadn’t done this before on her own. The girl unsure whether, come nightfall, she’d make do on delivering the goods.

When I began telling friends and family about my aspirations as a photographer, it was Tracy who first jumped on board to offer an “If anyone can do it, you can.”  Hers was my first engagement session and her wedding the first I shot on my own. And no matter how many years removed I am from this day, I don’t think I’ll ever forget the nerves that accompanied me the afternoon I watched Tracy marry Kevin from behind my viewfinder.

The morning after the wedding, I was STILL so nervous about how I did, that when breakfast time came around again, my stomach and brain continued their feud with another. So I sat with my parents (who had been guests at the wedding) and watched them eat the eggs and bacon I wanted to shovel in my mouth but couldn’t because that ball had yet to unravel inside me.

After I got home and downloaded the photographs, I finally felt good. Better than good, actually. More like euphoric and high, having fallen in love with the rollercoaster ride that is shooting a wedding.

When I shared the photographs from the wedding with Tracy, she loved them. Loved them in the same way I know she loves me. I like to think that, a year ago today, I gave my best friend the gift of some beautiful memories of her wedding day. But really, it was she who gave me a greater gift — the confidence to know I could do this. Sometimes, all you need is a certain someone who believes in you so much she gives you the opportunity you needed most.

And until today, I hadn’t really thanked her. So Tracy, here’s to a happy anniversary and to being such an amazing best friend