Everyone knows I’m a little wordy. But this time, I’ve struggled even find the right words to begin this blog. Rachel is stunning. That’s obvious. Those blue eyes of hers are worthy of at least two country songs. But there’s so much more. She’s a breath of fresh air, and has the sweetest, real laugh ever. You know how you have to laugh when a toddler giggles, well Rachel’s laughter will have the same result. It’s infectious. You will laugh too even if you have no clue what she’s laughing about, or even if it’s because I just said to her, “Hey, lean toward me and laugh.” She’s so fun to be around.

And then…. there’s the incredibly talented, intelligent, and driven competitor. She has swim practice in Bowling Green at 5:00AM, BEFORE SCHOOL, and she still maintains top grades. Oh and did I mention, she is Allen County’s 2018-19 DYW, Distinguished Young Woman, (which I keep calling DIY – which then makes her laugh again).  I’m pretty sure she has a thousand other accolades of which I am unaware, because she’s the most humble, unassuming young lady ever. You can be sure that whatever she goes for, she’s in it with her whole heart, mind, and soul.

And she speaks for herself, this beauty. She doesn’t care if she goes against the grain. Her spirit and thinking belongs to her. I so wish we could bottle that and give it away to a thousand others who desperately need to find their own voices. I don’t know what her secret is; she might not know it either, but she’s got it. It’s that elusive quality which when combined with some old fashioned common sense and work ethic, brings out a winner, and it doesn’t matter how many certificates or trophies you do or don’t win. She’s got them, but she doesn’t need them to know where she’s going or what she’s made of.

So I have to mention the train tracks. Rachel wanted part of her session here because she’s slightly (more than slightly) obsessed with trains. When her family visits her mom’s childhood home of Strasbourg, PA, they have always gone to see and often ride the trains there. Rachel was beyond exited when the CSX train came flying through while we were at the BG Train Depot.  It’s that breath of fresh air again, and it was such fun just to watch her excitement.

Rachel, you are simply amazing, and I was honored to capture this moment in your life. I hope you never change; that you always bubble with excitement, even when you’re yawning because you still had swim practice at 5:00AM the day of senior pictures. I wish you a lifetime of chasing your dreams and infecting those around you with your sweet laughter. I wish you joy in all things.

Love and blessings,
Pat