the bernal family | arizona family photographer

I was having breakfast with my nephew this morning and I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up.not missing a beat, he replied:"an army soldier."my heart squeezed for a split-second.I'm only his aunt...and still, my heart squeezed.my thoughts flash-forwarded to this session and I thought of her.she makes me wonder what it feels like to be her.if I were her, looking at her handsome grown-up real life marine soldier,there would STILL be in my mind's-eye the memory of a five-year-old tow-headed little boy when I looked at him.and yet, in the same instant, I would admire him and my heart would swell and I know I would be proud.it was an absolute pleasure getting to hang with this family.their laughter, joking and happiness over-threw the fly's, bee's, heat and mayhem (seriously, it could have won a crazy-town award.)thank you, mary. I am happy to have gotten to join in with your mayhem for an afternoon. :)