Have you ever gone somewhere you’ve been a hundred times before, but somehow it’s completely different?

I live just a few miles from a place called Elizabeth Park. Ever heard of it? Probably not, unless you are a flower aficionado, or live in Connecticut. Designed in 1903 and opened in 1904, it’s the home of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen—and it’s right in my own neighborhood.

I have been to this park countless times—sometimes for photo shoots, other times for Sunday strolls.

But until this week, I don’t think I ever really have been there.

This week I saw the rose gardens for the first time in full bloom. Not only that, but I got to see them through the eyes of my son, while my mother-in-law taught me about each kind of rose, and held my baby up to smell them. It doesn’t get much better than that, folks.

I have taken thousands of pictures in this park—but I don’t think I ever really saw it in all its glory until this week. Sometimes the timing’s not quite right, or the weather, or the circumstances…but not this time. This time, everything was perfect, and I could not have asked for a better day.

I don’t believe in posed family portraits. I don’t believe in everyone smiling and looking at the camera in unison. I used to think I did, but I don’t anymore.

I believe in documenting life as we live it. I believe in sunshine and roses. I believe in smiles and sneezes and walks in the park. And I believe that capturing those moments is what’s truly important.

These are the pictures I want to look back on; these are the days I want to remember.

For more about Elizabeth Park, please visit http://elizabethparkct.org/rose-garden.html. 

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