I'm not the kind of girl who's too proud to buy myself a bouquet of flowers. So, I treated myself to a 12 day trip back home. It started out because my best friend begged me a few months ago to come home. Then I wanted badly to go to an OU football game and see familiar faces and familiar land that stretched as far as the eye could see. I wanted to spend 12 hours on the road there and back with nothing but my thoughts buckled safely in the passenger seat. I wanted to let loose and have a few beers with my closest friends. I wanted to get away from my computer. Get away from my boyfriend (sorry Chad!) And get closer to myself - the purest part of who I am. So a simple trip home turned into a birthday gift to myself, and I didn't even know it.

I've struggled the last year on where exactly "home" is anymore. In the last two weeks I have come to realize that home will always be Oklahoma. The endless sunsets, Braum's pumpkin shakes, and friends. 

I took a LOT of photos on this trip so stay tuned for more posts! But for now, here are a few of my favorite moments that took place between the lines.

Special thanks to my "best friend" Luke for the photos of me and Sheri.  :)

Erica- Durango senior.

Someone gave me the nickname "Legs" a few years ago. I'm only 5'8" but grew up standing in the back row with the guys for a group photo, getting asked all the time if I played basketball, and was mistaken for a college student numerous times(in 7th grade.) I remember not wanting to wear heels in High School because then I was even taller than my boyfriend. I was self conscious. I never thought of myself as tall, because 5' 8" was all I knew. I think it was just an illusion though, because it was all in my legs. I'd wear shorts that fit standard school dress code, but would still get stopped in the hallway to do the finger check, making sure the edge of my shorts met the edge of my index finger. 

Erica is the same way. I kept wanting to call her "Legs" out of nostalgia for my own old nickname. We had so much fun on this photo shoot. Hanging out in abandoned houses and random street corners. She loves fashion, so I strived to make her photographs scream to be on magazine pages. Lets just say she made my job easy. :)

Kelly- Durango senior.

She instantly reminded me of myself 5 years ago. Quiet at first, studious, artsy, stylish, easy going. Excited about her future, excited about today. The way she and her mom looked at one another and laughed, almost as if they had their own code language, reminded me of my mom and I. 

I couldn't wait to take her picture.

Kelly, congratulation on finishing high school, and fully being you. You're beautiful. Thanks for letting me peak into your life for a minute. I loved what I saw. :)