Every summer, we trek to Texas to visit family. Somehow, after all the years of living everywhere from California to Corpus Christi to Leeds, England, my mother’s entire immediate family landed in the Houston area.

Twelve years separate my mom and her youngest brother. Twelve years and a ton of laughs.

They are my people. They think I’m funny. They think I’m smart and nice and they love my kids with a huge fierceness.

My sweet husband Brian showed me a picture that his cousin had done. It was his cousin with his father. It was this perfect portrait. The lighting was just perfect. It was dark and stunning. I had a vision of how I wanted to do this with my family.

I got the room ready. Grandma has beautiful lighting in her bedroom with sheer white curtains. I announced we were all set and asked everyone to come on in so that we could be quick for the little ones.

I was sure these were pictures that I would be submitting to contests in the future.

And then this happened…

This. This is a much more realistic version of the laughter and love that this one lady has blessed he earth with.

She is the original Mary Alice. She prays. Oh does she pray. Brian always teases her that God in heaven has a red phone ready for when she starts praying. She remembers every important date for every person even remotely related to her. She’ll be the first to call on your birthday and leave you the happiest birthday song you ever did hear. You’ll probably save every message you’ve ever received from her even though your voicemail is always at 95% full.

Goodness I love this lady. I wish you all had your very own Mary Alice.