]]> http://janicabolesphotography.com/blog/taylor-and-roman-prom/feed/ 0 http://janicabolesphotography.com/blog/brandon-and-kate/ http://janicabolesphotography.com/blog/brandon-and-kate/#comments Sat, 24 May 2025 20:14:47 +0000 jbo http://janicabolesphotography.com/blog/?p=22820

And then there was one.

I only have one school bus-eligible child left.  Not that she’ll actually TAKE the school bus, mind you.  She’ll perform her heart out on a stage in front of hundreds of people, but ascend the steps of  vehicle at the end of the street and walk down an aisle while facing a handful of her neighborhood peers…?  NEVER. Without a big brother to chauffeur her, I have returned to the role of reluctant Juber.  (if you know, you know). But truly, I cherish the early morning hugs and chatting.

Bailey is in tenth grade.  A sophomore!  She has settled into the extreme love/hate relationship that I remember having with school.  But through the academic demands, social stress, and over-the-top extracurricular schedule, my girl just always seems to thrive.  I am looking forward to year of celebrating triumphs, wiping the occasional tears, and suppressing many inevitable eye-rolls.  (those will be mutual, I’m sure.)

I love you, my beautifully blooming Bailey.  Keep growing wild and free.

No, Parker absolutely did NOT get up in the morning to see Bailey off to school.  These were evening photos.

You know better. 

One of my favorite things to do is photograph my kids on their birthdays.  Bailey’s 15th birthday was January 10th.  We took these photos shortly thereafter.  But I will be darned…I just could NOT bring myself to go through them and share them.

Bailey.  I don’t think I want you to grow up any more.  I don’t think I want you to take driver’s ed and hang out so much with your wonderful friends and start wistfully thinking about far-away colleges.  I think I like you just fine exactly as you are RIGHT NOW.  Everything is coming up Bailey these days!  You’ve transitioned into high school with the greatest of ease. You have found success in every thing you’ve gone after..even if it is not the success you initially imagined.  I keep trying to teach you how to relax and half-ass some stuff, but you certainly aren’t listening.  You’ve been nothing but Full-Ass Bailey Boles, and I’m so incredibly proud.  Your grades are outstanding.  Your performances on stage have reduced me to parental mush.  Your commitment to watching weird shit on YouTube is steadfast.  But really and truly, my Bill, the thing that makes me the most proud is your kindness.  You are loved because of the positivity and gentleness you put out into the world.  You won’t always have that kindness returned (you know this), but I hope you never forget how it feels to receive it.

I love you, my sweet Bill, my bean…and yes, that’s Baikey!

You now have my permission to be 15.