photo by Thea Coughlin
ONE
She is teaching me to be kinder. I once saw Michelle spend more than 20 minutes on a short email to a total jerk who deserved some serious “back off asshole” energy sent his way. That is what I would’ve done, of course. Not Michelle. Nope. I watched her spend nearly a half an hour to word it so, in her words, “he would not feel any shame or judgment.”
I mean, seriously—I have some distance to travel to be walking in her shoes.
photo by Amy Gretchen Maher
TWO
She is teaching me to soften up*. My DNA is such that I tend to throw my whole self down the stairs when a simple step, pause, step would get me to the bottom just as well. And the bonus? No bruises.
THREE
She is teaching me to giggle. I’m not quite there yet. I can laugh and shake, but the giggle—that loose easy, rolling from the back of your throat giggle? Still working on it.
photo by Amy Gretchen Maher
FOUR
She is teaching me how to get my pretty on. Which, as you all know, has nothing to do with lighting, make-up or hairspray and everything to do with posture, breath and thoughts I think.
photo by Stefanie Renee Lindeen
FIVE
She is kind.
SIX
She is gentle.
photo by Cal Patch
SEVEN
She always finds the fun (and the funny).
photo by Meg Brothers
EIGHT
She is pretty.
NINE
She has a radiance that is good to be around.
photo by Kate Inglis
TEN
When she dances? She goes to that wild, frenzied, no-holds barred place. Intense, hair shaking, soul on fire—and I love that most of all.
photo by Karin Mosca
Bisous, E
*the note on my mirror was written to me from Michelle. Funny how this morning the hearts that Stef gifted to me that hang in the window popped into view . . .
It's always a bonus when you have someone that can show you the way to lightheartedness.
Bridgemor
She is a sweet one isn't she?
This was a lovely homage to Michelle. xo
we need to keep that girl around… love her so!
This is lovely. She is an amazing person, so full of light and gentleness. What a great tribute to her.
xo
Oh this is so lovely E.. And all those things you love about her shine through when you meet her..
xo
Karen
She is so beautiful inside and out! Love this…xo
Oh what gorgeous words, love and photographs. She is wonderful. xoxoxo
i couldn't agree more. xx
She is all of those things and more… and whether you recognize it or not, so are you!
I think you work magic on each other. I think we ALL work magic on each other. I am inspired to do better, be kinder, reach higher, sing louder, dance more freely, write more honestly (write MORE often), be the best, most authentic me I can be every.single.time. I am around a certain group of women….How lucky are we???
How lucky you are to have such a wonderful light in your life as a friend. I am sure she feels the same way about you.