Sometimes I don't like weddings because I hate making small talk...but there was NO small talk at this wedding!! Is it possible to have too much fun?

Yesterday I went to my old studio mate's wedding and had the most fun I've ever had at a reception... and the highlight of the evening: Finally getting to see, Carol, my painting professor!!

This is the woman that has forever changed my life. She is also partially responsible for making it more complicated (in the best way possible, of course!). I always thought that writing was my one true love. Turns out, I was wrong--because now I have two: writing AND painting. This makes things complicated because it requires me to juggle my time and energies to include both in my life. You'd think these two passions could exist in harmony with one another...well, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Either way, I can say, without hesitation, that I love how both, together, have affected my life, what they've done to me, what they've done for me. My world has become more multi-dimensional. Painting has changed the way I see things--it has changed everything.

Carol is one of THE most influential women in my life. She is, after all, the one that introduced me to painting. She taught me not only how to paint, but how to teach. God, I love her and I've MISSED her! After graduating with my undergrad degree in art, Carol moved to New York to follow her heart and her passions--to teach and work on her own art. She went looking for new opportunities--and found them. Yesterday was the first time I've seen her since she left 2 years ago. We talked and talked and talked. And she is just as wonderful as she's always been.

I can't help but like this photo because, even though it looks like I might snort (and I probably did!), it captures the throw-your-head-back-revealing-all-your-teeth kind of laugh...the one that I don't even know what we were laughing about...the laugh that felt so good it hurt...just one of those laughs worth remembering.

Last night I left the reception feeling the fullness of my life and gratefulness to have such important people in my life. Although I (very unfortunately) don't have a photo of her, my old English professor, Dr. Nancy Michael, was also there (the most brilliant woman I have ever met!). To have these two incredibly inspiring women (the two that have quite possibly been the most influential in my life!) in the same room--my god! I felt blessed and lucky. And after many hugs and goodbyes--I know that these are two women that will always remain in my life.

I count myself lucky--in many more ways that one.