Saturday, January 14, 2012

Daddy Dates



My memories of my parents grow complicated as I age. Emotional reflections that once seemed so simple are clouded now by my own rationalizations; becoming an adult informs me of how difficult it is to be one, and it makes it harder not to think through old memories through a different lens. Noticing that I'm tending toward this, I've been carving out some experiences that I'm working hard not to tarnish or redefine, those times I want to keep as they've always been, uncomplicated by at least some real-life motivations.

The image above is from a photo booth strip taken during a "daddy date". I loved these dates as a kid - a little time out just me and my dad - dinner, and most of the time, a little treat. I remember bits of different dates, the food we had, the stores we meandered through, the gift I picked out at the end. Part of me really wishes I still had that set of pastel skinny belts with punched out hearts and stars instead of plain belt holes. While we're on that subject, I really wish I still had the shirt in this photo - how cure are those sleeves?

Well worn by years carried in a wallet, this photo still holds our smiles in tact. We look happy in a way that I feel grateful for - evidence of a time before we knew the truth about who we'd be and what would happen. My father and I shared a lot of our personality quirks, and though as an adult I find that to be a daunting realization, as a little girl, it made me feel special and safe.


2 comments:

  1. I've seen this picture before, but I find it so lovely and striking. I don't easily recognize the little girl in the picture to be you. For me, I see you so clearly in the eyes and smile of the father in the picture. They are, nearly exactly, your eyes and your smile.

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  2. And, if you look at the photobooth photo of you and Andrew on your FB page...the one where you are on the right-hand side of the photo--- geeze!

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