Associated Press, take 2

I had a story picked up by the Associated Press again! You can read the original version of the story in The Norman Transcript here or the one that ran in The Washington Times here.

This was a fun story to write. It was an honor to meet a father-son duo that love and serve each other so fully. Before arriving at the hospital to meet them, I prepared myself to meet a stand-offish 13-year-old boy who had no interest in expressing affection about his father, let alone holding his hand! What I found instead was a tender young man who love and respected his father and was grateful he was still around. I also wasn't sure what kind of condition dad would be in...but for just having a stroke, he looked great and his speech was pretty darn good. I mean, do you see that smile?!

Valentine's Column

I surprised my love this year with a column written just about him. It was so fun to share my feelings in such a public way and hear Nathaniel and other's reactions about a relationship that is so near and dear to my heart!

The picture that accompanied the column. The two of us at the salsa club in Lubbock, Texas, the summer we started dating.

Always,

February N-town

For the February N-town we did a fabulous Mardi Gras themed photo shoot. Getting the entire thing together was a nightmare, but the end results were beautiful and festive. Plus, my husband modeled and damn, is he hunky!

Hilary's Art

My sweet cousin, Hilary, commissioned me to create a piece of art work depicting herself and her husband. Early in their relationship they had a discussion where her husband said he was black and his wife was red — adding all the color into his life. They also have a family crest they designed that uses symbols to depict themselves as individuals and as a family. I used her story and the crest to design this piece of work. It took me unreasonably long because I wasn't ever totally satisfied with it, but Hilary loved it — and that's what counts!

Details. I used ink and colored pencil.

The finished product. Framed and ready to go.

Always,

Associated Press

Check it out...

Do you see it? That's my name next to "Associated Press." My story was picked up by AP. Of all stories, it's this one — but hey, I'm not going to complain.

Always,