Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.  ― Dalai Lama XIV

As parents, we are somewhat prepared for the anguish of Senior year. We know they need to go. But please, I swear that 18 years was really 18 seconds. I mean seriously…what just happened?

The biggest surprise, and what I was NOT even remotely prepared for, was how attached I would be to my son’s friends. He picked really, really good friends. And, he let me get to know them. Especially Sam.

Ben and Sam have been the best of friends for many years. They chose each other. They truly take care of one another. It has been pretty cool to watch.

The reality of Sam not being at my house for lunch – like almost every day – is sooo unacceptable. Ouch. And no more pictures of Sam on the baseball mound? Say what?

I will miss how Sam’s eyes light up after recording for The Macks and when he’s telling me about some hijinks he’s orchestrating at school and when he’s filling me in on Prom-posal strategies.

Sam can be serious and complex and creative. He writes poems and some have become song lyrics for The Macks. Sam can also just be a one-liner man and pretty dang funny. I have laughed so hard at the many videos written and produced by Ben and Sam. All of this is perfect for his next adventures at the University of Oregon pursuing a marketing and advertising degree.

Sam chose this image taken in a local park as his Senior Favorite. I actually remember what he said right after we took it, “Yeah. That felt like a good one.” He was right.

Sam would most like to be “Myself” when he grows up and is inspired by these words from Tyler, The Creator, “I am the cowboy on my own trip and”

This girl is so ADORABLE. I have know her since she was about three years old. Her grandpa, Julius, was our our realtor, who became our friend, who then became our neighbor. He would bring his little red-haired McKayla with him everywhere…it was so sweet. I loved how McKayla jumped right in to play with the crazy number of boys on our street…she was seriously outnumbered. I have always been struck by how friendly and upbeat and, of course, absolutely gorgeous she is.

McKayla’s mom and I both struggle to pick a favorite image from her session. She looks amazing in all of them and shows off her many moods and expressions. But, Goose (aka McKayla) knew exactly which one she wanted to share…”her vogue one.” McKayla really mixed it up from a cute blouse and boots, to a sweater, to her Dutch Bros. beanie, to “the red dress.” When her mom showed me this dress, I knew exactly where I wanted to shoot, and McKayla sure delivered the pose.

McKayla loves this image because “it represents her looking off into her future…and ready to ride the journey of the next steps.”

McKayla will be focused on nursing at University of Arizona in the fall (she’ll wear lots of red there). She wants to help others, in a fast pace environment and is thinking of pediatric ICU, emergency, or surgery.

I am so gonna miss her smiling face at Dutch Bros. after this summer, but I am so happy to watch her following her dreams.

McKayla’s senior motto is “Put some red lipstick on and live a little!”

Easy to see why this is a Senior Favorite…love, love, love this beautiful and colorful portrait of Erin.

I was lucky enough have two photo sessions with Erin. We had fun being creative with poses and angles and even the leaves. Late summer put Erin in the flowers and urban settings. The peak of fall found us in the amazing colors, near the water and on the soccer field. Erin was so patient get the fall photos…twas an early, frigid and foggy morning. And just scheduling was a challenge due to Mother Nature and Erin’s soccer playoffs.

Speaking of soccer, Erin gets to keep playing the sport she loves in the fall…so exciting. Erin will be attending Clackamas Community College to play soccer and work on her pre-requisites for nursing.

Erin’s favorite inspirational quote:  The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams -Eleanor Roosevelt 

I have known Joshua for many years. I remember well the little boy who was a fierce competitor in baseball even at a young age. It was always exciting to have him catching behind the plate. With that competitive fire, it is no surprise that he is pursuing his dream to someday play profession sports. Not baseball though, Joshua spends a lot of time on the ice. He’s a hockey player.  

Joshua was out of state for much of his senior year playing hockey and came back to Sherwood spring term to graduate with his classmates. After high school, he will play Junior Level Hockey in Minnesota and go to college part time.  Beyond that, professional hockey is the plan, but he also has his eye on artificial intelligence for CSI.

Joshua’s favorite quote:  What is now proven was once only imagined  – William Blake