Thirteen years

I found this photo the other day. It shows me and Cassie on the day I graduated with my M.A. (funny - I thought that would be the end of my educational road!). I LOVE this picture. First of all, she and I don't have a ton of photos where it's just the two of us - not that we haven't had the opportunity; we're just usually part of a larger group. Then there's the nice leafy background. It's hard to imagine an ugly brick apartment building about two feet to Cassie's left.

But mostly what I love is remembering her on this trip. She would have been...11? 12? She, Jill, and Judy first spent a day or two in Seattle, staying at the Sheraton (who would have known Josh would work there years later?). In Bellingham, my friends hosted a beautiful reception at a bayside restaurant. In short, there were lots of big events where Cassie was the only young person.

Cassie might not have said much, but was clearly observing every detail of every person, place, and event - including my friend Phil's dog - drinking it in and exhibiting her special "cool." In the photo, she's wearing lipstick and looking very glamorous. Now she's a married woman and twice as old (about) as she was here.

As for me, I can't get over my white stockings here - ouch! Another painful '80's fashion trend.