I got paid to take pictures for the first time yesterday!... Well, sorta.
API's two interns, another member of the office, and I went down 'ole I-65 a ways to take pictures and video to use for the various publications that come out of our office.
I complained a lot about Montgomery when I lived there, and with good reason, but a day trip back knowing I don't have to stay for more than a few hours is was really nice.
The highlight of the trip for me, however, wasn't in the Gump at all, but a little side-trip we made on the way down.
Anyone who has ventured vertically through Alabama has probably seen the Giant Peach water tower in Chilton County. It's really hard to miss, and is one of those things about my state that is often pictured in touristy promotional materials. In my many trips to a myriad of towns between Mobile and Huntsville I had never stopped to take a picture, or see what it was all about.
I knew that Chilton County is famous for its peaches. I knew that there a peach stands of all sizes throughout the state where men in overalls and straw hats sell the fuzzy fruit. And I knew that Chilton County produces a damn good peach. But the ladies and gentleman at Headley's Big Peach reminded me of what a kind, generous, and amazing state I have the privilege to inhabit.
Sheila showing us their bean sheller
Mother and daughter owners Linda and Sheila were so excited to see the four of us walking around with our DSLRs, capturing the gorgeous Alabamacana (gonna trademark that one), that they not only gave us good conversation and a history lesson, but a basket of peaches that had literally just come in from one of their four supplying orchards; we even got to meet the straw-hatted-overall-bedecked farmer, himself.
In addition to peaches, Headley's also sells local honey, vegetables, and a few antiques. Out back they have a large watermelon patch and a field of smallish sunflowers.
Which is where I snapped my favorite picture of the whole day:
This Thursday I am thankful for peaches and for growing up in the sweetest state there is.
So, it has been a minute... I moved from Montgomery to Birmingham, got busy, and disappeared!
I no longer have Boyfran...
He's my Fiancé now, and I couldn't possibly be happier!
Here's the story:
After surprising me at Camp Sumatanga during Chrysalis the previous weekend, we spent all of Independence day week (minus the time I was at work Monday and Tuesday) hanging out with his family- the wonderful Beesh clan. He's been in Cincinnati all summer doing an internship for Proctor and Gamble, so I was so happy just to be with him that I wasn't even thinking about a proposal.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday just could not have been more perfect days. We fellowshiped with his family, spent time outside,
Yes, those are cutoffs...
watched fireworks,
Yay, Fancy camera!
ate delicious smoked and grilled meats,
We were practically dripping in goat meat
spent many hours watching The Office on the
couch, and basically did exactly what we wanted for three whole days.
It was glorious.
Thursday night James asked if I'd like to go up to Palisades Park to take pictures with the new lens I was getting in the mail the next day.
He's the sweetest
Palisades is absolutely gorgeous. The park overlooks the valley that contains Oneonta (James's hometown), and has a little chapel, some trails, and an extremely rickety old New Deal-era firetower which is supposed to be locked up and inaccessible to miscreants such as ourselves.
James and I had been up there together one time, in the days before we were dating; I've always given him a hard time about how much I wanted him to kiss me in the firetower that chilly December afternoon. The memories we were about to make there are now far more precious than any kiss from my as-of-yet-unrequited love.
After huffing and puffing our way up to the top, I took out my camera, put on my 55-300mm lens, and began taking pictures of the valley; the homes of people I've come to love, the softly rolling mountains in the distance, and the beginnings of the summer sunset.
James was fiddling with something behind my back, and it suddenly struck me what was about to happen. My dear man turned his iPod on to our song: Starlight by Muse
He pulled the ring box out of his pocket, and in the sweetest words I can imagine, asked me to marry him. He opened the ring box, and inside was a yellow wrapper. He had placed my ring inside a Banana Laffy Taffy wrapper.
That brought the tears.
You see, he and I met in an economics class fall of 2010. One that happened to be right after lunch. Everyday James and his friends would go to the beloved City Cafe for a southern Meat-and-three lunch with the kind of smiling service we've been unable to find anywhere else. At the front counter of this hole-in-the-wall restaurant is an assortment of candy to impulsively purchase while you are paying your check.
After learning that banana was (also) my favorite flavor, he would bring me a Laffy Taffy, and we would chew away at them during the first few minutes of class. It was the first present he ever gave me, and it's the most special thing in the world.
After a little harmless vandalism,
and after I stopped shaking and laughing and crying, we got in the car, uploaded this picture to facebook,
Trademark "thumbs-up"
and began the short drive back to James's neighborhood. James suggested we drive around and listen to music for a while, before we had to go back and answer a bunch of questions. When we finally pulled into Azalea Hills, I noticed that the curbs were lined with the vehicles of my family, and some of our dearest friends.
About to toast to our engagement
After running to hug my parents, who had known about this for OVER a week, we all went inside to alert Fuchie that he was no longer going to be a bastard puppy-son, and eat some of the tastiest ribs ever smoked.
The whole night was truly beyond all of my wildest dreams. It was so special, better than I ever could have planned it, and so completely unique to us.
