Charley Rhea had her senior pictures taken recently. Her momma sent the family a link to look through them all and I've compiled my favorites below. Looking through these pictures was WAY too much for me to handle. I've always loved this girl with a fierceness I couldn't put my finger on until I had a babe of my own. I've ADORED Charley Rhea for every stage of her life. These past few years have been full of highs and lows for us both, and to my delighted surprise, Charley and I shared much of this time together. We've always been super close, but we've cried together and laughed big together, and she's taught me how to navigate life with poise, wisdom, and kindness. (Yes, she taught ME, not the other way around.) I wouldn't trade these last 12 months for anything in this world. I feel like Charley has finally seen a glimpse of the deep embedded love I've always had for her. She's had the chance to feel it and know it well this year. We've been there for each other and it's been a year I will always store away in my mind as IMPORTANT.
One of the best opportunities God ever gave me was moving to Birmingham. Originally the decision was made in part because I didn't want to miss the twins growing up. I grew up with Charley. I was a part of her life from the very beginning and I didn't want to miss those years with the twins. Turns out, it was immensely important that I didn't miss a minute of this amazing girls life.
I was here for her elementary school graduation. I was here for the silly, super giggly sleepovers, I was here for braces and softball and finding real best friends. We got manicures before her first school dance. There were relationships that came and went and times of great joy and heart ache.
Charley is such a perfectly packaged person. You talk to her and watch her brain process the immense amount of data stored in there. Her great intellect makes her seem unseasonably mature. She can talk to you intelligently about every tough subject out there. Girl is SMART.
She's clear eyed and driven. She's always been a goal setter and she's never shied away from putting her head down and working hard for what she wants to accomplish. She has a remarkable way of pushing life's obstacles to the side and plowing forward. Intentional. Steady. Focused. She is a WOMAN. Strong, intelligent, wielding a power she probably hasn't discerned yet.
But if you call her phone, and get her voice mail, there's this falsetto voice on the recording that always surprises me. She's still my squeaky little niece. A youngster really. Full of wonder and innocence. There's much more to learn and do and experience because the world is still her oyster! :)
She attends an enormous high school. She'll graduate with over 600 other seniors (give or take). They rent out the biggest arena in the city for graduation. There are so many people. So much diversity. So many chances to get lost in the crowd. But after all these years of cultivating friendships with other smart, fun classmates, Charley Rhea has made a name for herself. They had awards day last week and she won Best Dressed! She was so surprised and had no idea she would win!
My best friend, Jill, teaches 9th and 10th grade at Charley's high school. Her students don't know that she and Charley are friends but Jill said Charley's name is all the chatter with the underclassmen because they think she is 'beautiful and really sweet to them.' I hope she realizes what a testament this is to her. It's easy to get caught up in the ego of senior life, but her heart is kind. Those younger girls will forevermore look up to Charley because she made an impact on their high school years. She makes them feel important. Kindness always wins. Remember that baby girl.
My personal favorite.
She faced some hard times this year. High school is fun but not always easy. She faced some situations that brought out the momma bear in me. She had choices to make on how she would treat people in the wake of hurt feelings and wrong doings. She called. We talked. And then, the most beautiful thing happened. I watched Charley work through a thoughtful process of following her heart. Deciding her own path. Acting the way that made her feel good in her soul... and wouldn't you know, she chose to love, and forgive, and to be brave.
YOU ARE BRAVE, CHILD.
She chose to smile anyway. She chose to embrace the good and find joy instead of getting dragged down by anything that wouldn't benefit her life. She chose to rise above.
And it was HER choice.
To the very core of her, she is beautiful.
You are GOOD, baby. A diamond. A treasure to me.
She is teeming with excitement for college. She hasn't made her mind up yet as to where she will go, but she has great choices ahead of her. Her dedication to school has opened up awesome opportunities. She's not settling on a default college. Her years of hard work have given her the options to explore and travel which ever path brings her the most delight.
Congratulations beautiful. I'm overwhelmingly proud of you.
I wish we had a picture of every blood and distant relative hugging your neck just like this to serve as a reminder that you are BELOVED. You have taught us all to have fun and be silly and soak up every second of life. You've also taught us to work hard, don't give up, GO FOR IT! Most importantly, you've taught us to always smile, expect the best in people and give second chances when they might miss the mark, love anyway, because that's most important.
My heart. There are times when I want to send you away in such a commotion of exuberance and excitement that Andaddy would call it 'nonsense'. There are other times that I want to stomp my foot and scream at you for growing up. You'll understand one day how hard it is to watch these pieces of your heart grow up and venture out... a too far distance for me to be able to scoop you up and still dote on you like a child.
But in the end of days, I know exactly how our story plays out. I'll stand face to face with my good, gracious God and I'll open my hands in thanks, lips trembling, eyes a dam of tears, just as they are now, and I won't say a word. He'll know. He'll know my heart could never put words to my immense gratitude for being able to watch your whole life from the sidelines. Sometimes only tears like waterfalls can tell the story of JOY that someone brings to your life.
I cherish you, Charley Bug. You are a hero to me.
