Today’s post is a pretty special one for me to share. The people in the photos below are so near and dear to my heart that it’s hard not to get too sappy in my words and get to the photos. But after all this crew has done for me, they are worth a little sappy, so you’ll have to bear with me. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a number of very close friends, and Jen was one of my absolute closest. Throughout middle and high school she was like a sister to me, and what still gets me to this day is how much her family, especially Nancy and Frank, took me under their wing. M2 and D2 (mom and dad 2), as I’ve called them for years now, not only hosted a number of sleepovers and playdates, took us on vacation, and taught me more about soup and cards than I ever thought I’d know, but even today, almost twenty years after I graduated high school, they make a point to visit when they are in town, always send birthday and anniversary cards and gifts, and still, even so many years later treat me and my family like one of their own. I don’t know if I’ll ever truly be able to give back to them they way they took care of me, but traveling to Cape Cod to take photos with their kids, son-and-daughter in law, and grandchildren is a start. I’m not sure of the last time I was actually with this whole crew together (most likely at Jen’s wedding 10 years ago), but it was exciting and emotional for me to capture Nancy and Frank as grandparents, Jen and Jeffrey as parents (I almost had a heart attack calling Jeff “dad” during the session..he’s still my 12 year old pseudo-brother in my book), and the whole family together as one. It is my true hope that I can be a Nancy and Frank to my daughter’s friends as they grow. I am so grateful for this family and so grateful for the time I got to spend with them at the beach house a few weeks ago. Here are my many favorites of our time together. Many thanks to this entire crew for being such a special part of my life.