One of the very most wonderful gifts of this photography business is the many friends I have made over the years. I have photographed with thousands of people both here in Maine, around the country and abroad. The experiences of meeting, working with and being in touch have created an exceptionally heartwarming and meaningful part of my life. To hear from old friends is richly rewarding.
Thirty-one years ago, Melanie and Michael, in the shared photo, lived in Mount Airy, Maryland. They wanted to be married here in Maine, and lucky me got to be their photographer. They chose Spruce Point Inn for their wedding and the Boothbay Harbor region as their destination.
This past weekend I got a call from them. They and their family had returned to the area for a few days, and wondered if it might be possible to get together. Wow! Thirty-one years!
Melanie and Michael now live in Barre, Vermont. At their wedding they expressed an interest coming to New England. Melanie grew up in Barre and Michael had spent several years growing up in Cape Elizabeth when his father worked for Hannaford before it became a large grocery chain.
Part of the fun of revisiting is to learn all about what has transpired over time. Melanie has been a practicing physical therapist for over 30 years and Michael works for Ben and Jerry in Waterbury, Vermont. They have three boys; interestingly, one of their sons is a traveling physical therapist, now temporarily, affiliated with Miles Hospital in Damariscotta.
Another son works as a software developer for video programs while their third son, who went to college in Canada, is a journalist.
Every year at Christmas, I get a beautiful hand-painted card from Melanie and Michael, and I have often wondered if Melanie was the artist. She is! These are not your usual Hallmark mass production cards. They are created on heavy watercolor paper with idyllic scenes that embrace the beauty of New England scenes. Melanie told me that she was given her first painting tools as a very young child attending her local school run by the Carmelite sisters. Melanie still has the original “kit” given to her and still uses parts of it to paint today. One day perhaps she will devote more time to painting which has been a lifelong interest.
Meeting and re-meeting the special people with whom I have photographed cannot be under appreciated. Now, at my tender young age, I photograph with grandchildren of many friends I have made over the past 45 years. It is a never-ending reconnection that means so much. I am forever grateful to have been part of the lives of so many, and flattered by their willingness to stay in touch. Photographs have a way of helping to preserve special times. Lucky for me to be remembered.