Hammock Bay in Freeport, Florida
Photographs taken on 5.12.2014
For these two friends, all hugs held value, but in these moments, not the understanding that this good-bye isn't only until tomorrow. Their innocence have in some ways, fortunately sheltered them from those longing feelings one would have in letting go of those things that may bring comfort and security, like a friend that was always there, a friend that guaranteed laughter and a good time, accessible anytime. That was what Mya and Jax's young friendship was like. There was an ease in how they played together. Mya would often ask her mom to call Jax to come over her house because she insisted Jax misses her and Mya, was the first actual name Jax could say. Jax would say her name as often as it made sense to say it and every door we walked up to since he learned to say Mya, was always the possibility to Jax that we might just be standing in front of Mya's door and so, he'll knock or reach for the doorbell and confidently say her name. They met months before they were even two years old and in an almost daily, if not weekly basis, they were creating memories together, going on those childhoood adventures that Mya's Mom and I would plan excitedly for them, and truthfully, for us too. Mya's Mom, Alexandra and I bonded over seeing our children play, reach milestones together and enjoy life. We bonded over having them and seeing the friendship Jax and Mya had, allowed us to experience motherhood together. So much of our lives, revolved around their experience of the world we were showing them.
On this late afternoon, before we set out on our drive down to South Florida, there was no way we could leave this place without a visit to our dearest friends. To see Jax and Mya run in the front yard, chasing one another, giggling, unknown to them were the reasons for this particular visit. In this brief visit, seeing them play, even though I have seen them play so many times before, I was reminded of how lucky they have been to have had each other in their young lives. This was the friendship that will become the first of many friendships. Jax and Mya were each other's first constant playmate. It may not be like first love, but so much of their time spent together, are the days that fabricated the details of their early lives as little individuals, in which through their friendship, they learned how to share, communicate, talk in ways only two two year olds can understand, express happiness, frustration, wants and needs, how to play freely, how to bicker, follow and lead, exchange toys, help one another, have companionship, all the basic qualities that having a real friend may teach us. Jax and Mya are still both, an only child and therefore, having each other was special.
In these moments, they may hug each other goodbye, but they do not know like I do, about how far apart their homes will now reside from one another, or what it means for play dates that can no longer be planned with just a phone call and a minute drive to each other's houses. I tried not to wonder, when they will see each other again and if too much time, does go by before they do, if they will even remember one another. That might just be the difference between this and first love... but, they are still and will always be each other's first constant playmate. They became friends so easily, hopefully that ease will stay with them always.
On this late afternoon, before we set out on our drive down to South Florida, there was no way we could leave this place without a visit to our dearest friends. To see Jax and Mya run in the front yard, chasing one another, giggling, unknown to them were the reasons for this particular visit. In this brief visit, seeing them play, even though I have seen them play so many times before, I was reminded of how lucky they have been to have had each other in their young lives. This was the friendship that will become the first of many friendships. Jax and Mya were each other's first constant playmate. It may not be like first love, but so much of their time spent together, are the days that fabricated the details of their early lives as little individuals, in which through their friendship, they learned how to share, communicate, talk in ways only two two year olds can understand, express happiness, frustration, wants and needs, how to play freely, how to bicker, follow and lead, exchange toys, help one another, have companionship, all the basic qualities that having a real friend may teach us. Jax and Mya are still both, an only child and therefore, having each other was special.
In these moments, they may hug each other goodbye, but they do not know like I do, about how far apart their homes will now reside from one another, or what it means for play dates that can no longer be planned with just a phone call and a minute drive to each other's houses. I tried not to wonder, when they will see each other again and if too much time, does go by before they do, if they will even remember one another. That might just be the difference between this and first love... but, they are still and will always be each other's first constant playmate. They became friends so easily, hopefully that ease will stay with them always.
