6.1.09

Newport Beach

Have you ever made friends with people that live halfway across the world and hit it off so well, that you keep in touch for years? Well, Gary and I were lucky enough to meet The Kirks while we were on our honeymoon in Tahiti 7-1/2 years ago. And after only two weeks of hanging out, we knew they would be in our life for a long time. The problem is that they live in Australia. So, with one HUGE Pacific Ocean between us we definitely had to rely on modern day technology to keep in touch. We had so many laughs and wonderful memories during those two weeks that at the end of our trip, we exchanged information hoping that we could someday visit them in Australia or even possibly do a 10 year Tahiti reunion. We did keep in contact for a few years, but, when I left RauxaDirect, I misplaced my contact list (not one of my brighter moments) and so I lost contact with Natalie. After 5 years and a savvy web program called Facebook, we reconnected with our long lost Aussie friends…hooray! Natalie told me they were planning a trip to the States and were staying near Disneyland for a few days and it just so happens that we live about 10 minutes from where they were staying..how cool is that!?! That brings us here to 7-1/2 years after we originally met The Kirks and half way across the world to our 2nd reunion. Although their stay was short, it felt like we were back on vacation, laughing and having a wonderful time. It was so surreal reconnecting with the Kirks. Both Gary and I felt the reason why we hit it off so well in the first place. I just wish the Pacific Ocean was the size of Lake Havasu and I could take a ferry across the way to see them. I’ve never been super religious, but, it’s moments and connections like these that make me feel so completely blessed. I am crossing my fingers that we will still pull off our 10 year anniversary trip to Tahiti for a reunion. If we can’t make it to Tahiti, I guess there is always Australia!!!!

So, Natalie had seen my work on Facebook and asked if they could schedule a shoot at the beach to remember their Southern California trip by and of course, I was happy to do so. Here are my picks of the day:

Such a gorgeous family!

Seriously…isn’t she just the cutest little thing?!?!

And, then, you see James and he just makes you melt with his smile.

They brought Daniel’s mother, Joyce, who was so much fun to talk too. She is from Malta…so cool!

They wanted some memories of their Disney trip so what’s a better way then to dress Ella up in her Sleeping Beauty dress with Disney ears!