Missed photo op

Yesterday I did my best to photograph our friend Kendall's fourth birthday party.

I had a ton of fun and even though I was trying to be diplomatic about my photography, a good half of the photo set still ended up being pictures of my kids.

A professional photographer I am not! I missed a slew of important shots, not the least of which was when the birthday girl blew out the candles, but only one missed shot is still giving me grief.

Our mutual friends, The Chicas, were there. I absolutely unabashedly ADORE The Chicas. They are two women from Mexico, both of which have kids who attended school with Kendall and Alex for most of the year. Tonya and I mutually fell in love with these two women immediately. They have some of the most rich and interesting life stories about their how much moving to America has changed them. (They basically both went from having Help with a capital H, to being completely on their own. One of them had never cooked a meal before moving to the US!)

Since her parents are here visiting from Mexico, Alejandra brought them to the party with her own children and two of the kids' cousins. Not only did they blend right in and speak excellent English and remind me ever-so-much of my beloved Argentinian host family, but I witnessed a moment so simple and beautiful that it's something I'll always carry with me.

Alejandra is my age(ish?) and since she and I are close in age, I'm comfortable assuming that her father is in his sixties, like mine is. I found Alejandra's father, Alejandro, to be one of the warmest men I've ever met. He is a stout man with a cane, an engaging smile and a kindness that oozes from every pore. I wish I'd gone out of my way to spend more time talking with him.

While all the kids were circling the pinata waiting for their turns at bat, Alejandra sat down next to her father in one of the green canvas folding chairs she had brought. Her chairs had those cool armrests with room for a coke can, but instead of holding sodas, I caught Alejandra holding hands...

with her dad.

It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

A grown woman holding hands with her father. In public. At a party. For no reason other than that she loves him and he OBVIOUSLY adores her. I've rarely seen that kind of affection between adult parent and child and I come from a rather exceptionally affectionate family myself. The whole thing honestly just stopped my heart and my first instinct was to grab for my camera. Sadly, by the time I was ready, it was Alejandra's son's turn at the pinata and the moment was gone.

I'm so sorry I missed it.

Comments

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I'm surprised you were surprised. I hold hands with my mom and dad whenever we're together. I never regarded that as unusual, I guess I'll have to pay more attention.

Posted by: Sheryl | July 21, 2008 at 06:52 AM