One-Upping the Universe

Every time I look at this photo, my heart squeezes.

I was walking near the woman on the left on the outskirts of an art festival (where they sell hand made sodas and desserts, if we’re being honest) where I was taking photos this spring. Suddenly, the woman on the right came around the corner skipping, singing, and spinning, hugging and chattering to her companion as though they had been apart for a long time.

I witnessed the woman’s joyful entrance onto the scene from the dessert counter, and saw that her exuberant behavior had drawn attention from passers by. The two women did not seem to notice or care. They locked hands, each claiming their ally in life’s battleground, and formed a bond of love and acceptance no prying stranger could ever penetrate. I left my root beer float on the counter (temporarily, lets not get crazy) and took off after them. I needed a photo of what it looked like from the outside of this bond looking in. And I was honored to get one.

May we all be able to know what that level of love and companionship feels like. Even if just for a moment.