Sweet Carli flashed me a shy smile when I bent down to introduce myself. It was a quick hello because the turquoise water kept distracting her. The waves crashed gently at her feet and she just couldn’t help but run towards it. It was almost as if she belonged on that beach. She danced and twirled in the wind, digging her toes into the sand, and occasionally bending down to draw shapes or write her name it. The salt water kept washing her art away but that didn’t stop her from making more.

 

The weather wasn’t perfect on Lanikai Beach that day. The wind was strong and hardly any sunlight made it through the thick, gray clouds. But little Carli wasn’t even phased by it. Watching her run and play and grin from ear to ear made you forget about the adult world you lived in and invited you back to your childhood. You could almost taste the freedom that she seemed to be throwing into the air. It was so unbelievably refreshing. She was in a whole new world, far from her California home, and discovering a budding sense of wanderlust deep inside her. A feeling that will beg to be nurtured for the rest of her life. The island of Hawaii was bringing so much joy into her little world that you couldn’t help but appreciate the significance of the moment.

 

Virginia and Kenny, you must be so proud of this little bundle of cuteness. You two are incredible parents and I cannot begin to tell you how honored I am to capture these precious moments for your young family. I hope the joy shared between you on this day stays with you forever. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and witness the incredible love shared between you and your beautiful family.