Rachel

A whole month without blogging. I don't think I've done that in four (or has it been five?) years. I've been photographing like a maniac, thinking about everything I wanted to say. Then the days would pass, and it was all old news. It stacked up and became overwhelming. BUT I'M TURNING THE SHIP AROUND, because I miss it.

Being away for so long made me realize how much this whole thing has become an integral of my life, in large part due to the incredible friendships I've stumbled on because of it. 

Not the least of which is my new blogger-but-also-real-life friend Rachel. 

We met at the Mom 2.0 Gallery Showing in Houston. And I first intended to tell you about her when I was writing this post. But that was the night of DD's birthday party. I was late, and wound up having to end it abruptly. But if I'd had time to finish, I would have said that meeting Rachel was a huge highlight for me that weekend. In the midst of the awkwardness of not really knowing anyone or where I fit in, here came this sweet girl from Texas with a huge heart to match. She writes a crazy-popular food blog called A Southern Fairytale. And she has one of my favorite qualities that a person can possess. Which is when people who are really good at something have the ability to describe it so simply that it makes you think you can do it do it too. She is so passionate about cooking, that it's contagious.

So a few weeks after we met, she emailed that she was going to be Austin and asked if I wanted to meet up for lunch. Since New Braunfels is in the middle, we went to The Huisache. And I'm not kidding, we talked, laughed and cried through a three hour meal. There are not that many people in this world who can reach into you and find such real emotions in the span of three hours. But that's Rachel. I feel really lucky to know her. 

*The necklace she's wearing is from her friend Lisa Leonard, who I first learned of through Kal. How crazy small is this world?!

You know after three glasses of wine we had to have an impromptu photo shoot...

Can't wait to see you again soon missy! :)

Tomorrow thanks to Jason and Kal, I'll be checking something off my life list (yes, I wrote one too). So should you. :)

Have a great day! It's nice to be back. 

xo

Comments

[Rachel - Southern Fairytale]

I. Love. You.

xoxoxo

[Laurie]

Aw, I'm glad she tweeted this. I love new good friends. :) It looks like Mom 2.0 was good to many of us in lots of ways. (Beautiful shots, too.)

[Leah]

Awesome post, Maile. Good to have you back, too! I was so happy to see a new entry loading onto my screen.

[Hollee Temple]

I agree that you were lucky to meet Rachel -- I felt the same way when she was so friendly and kind to meet at Blissdom. I have attempted many of her meals but I'll be honest -- my babysitter makes them much better than I do! I love her photos, too.

[Father of the photographer]

Thank you, thank you, thank you ...... I never have enough good photos of my daughter. She is always on the wrong side of the lens, well not wrong but I can't see much of her through that little viewfinder thingy. Your shot of her are great.

[stephanie]

Great to see you back!

[Rachel - Southern Fairytale]

AWE! My DADDY commented!

[sprittibee]

So jealous. I didn't get half that much time with her at Blissdom. ;) She's adorable, right?! At least I live in TEXAS. That's a plus.... so maybe one day we can hang and talk about Southern Food. Or rather, EAT Southern Food AND talk about it.

[Dragon]

I know Rachel and let me tell you........... she is ONE OF A KIND and so is her little Monkey! You did a great job at caputring her on film (errr disk).

[Kim]

Rachel is one of those women that make you feel comfortable instantly... I have yet to meet her in person but we have been bloggy friends for almost three years.. You did an amazing job capturing her beauty!!

[Rachel Brooke]

Glad you are back! Missed your posts. I need to return again soon too. Lovely photos you have here!

[cs]

I know Rachel From "Life in CC" (We lived the same town.) I miss her now That I moved and I think the photos you took of her are so fabulous! Made me miss her more Soo Pretty! what nice things everyone has posted about her. Having known her through playgroups and preschool I was unaware of how popular she is in Cyber land Goo Rachel!! -CS

[lisa leonard]

maile you are so talented!! and thanks for the mention!! xo

[Amy]

Rachel is one of the sweetest people I have ever met! What beautiful pictures of you both and how special to get to share a dinner together!!

[traceyclark]

fun fun fun. i love rachel. she's one of my newest blog friends so this post featuring her beautiful face is all the sweeter. great shots, wish i could have been there!

[Sandee]

GLAD TO KNOW YOU ARE ALIVE!

[Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]]

I just happened to find this while searching for the perfect SLR camera bag, and BAM! my friend Rachel shows up here.

I LOVE that girl with the power of 1000 suns.

Rachel is the real deal.

[Secret Agent Mama - Mishelle Lane]

I always miss the good posts.

I may be over a month late, but I just wanted to say that Rachel's one of my bloggy bff's and this post is the best tribute to her ever!!

[Relyn]

The best thing about blogging is the friendships it brings into our lives, both in person and online. That was really an unexpected gift for me.