It was nearly a year ago that I first got to spend an afternoon with the Jacksons taking photos, and the second time was even better. Thomas’s shyness had faded and his full personality was on display — fun, inquisitive, and clearly delighted by his parents. I love how intimate and relaxed both sessions were. We hung out on the dock right near their South Minneapolis home and played with the bubble gun and orchestrated a tickle fight, then ventured over to the park. It was amazing to see how much more comfortable Thomas was on his own just a year later, capable of exploring the playground by himself, but always keeping mom and dad in sight.
To top off a perfect afternoon — including the part where the sun graced us for 10 glorious minutes while we were on the dock — they treated me to Boludo (by far my favorite pizza). While we waited, I got to see Thomas’s Swing Face and all his sand toys, watch him and his dad read together on the couch, and feel part of the Saturday night ritual of dinner in their welcoming home.
After a year and a half of only glimpsing into others’ homes and rituals through Zoom screens, it felt extra cozy and exhilarating to actually be part of it, sitting on the floor of a living room, and around a shared table. Sarah, I’m so thankful for your friendship and happy at what a joy-filled life you’ve built — thanks for inviting me into it.
