Why We're Here

It rained... hard.

For the first part of the day, the day we'd been planning, making phone calls for, designing for, picking up supplies for, gathering sponsors for, spent the morning under a gray sky setting up a park for... the clouds gave way to smooth blanketing shower.  Within moments umbrellas canopied people all across the lawn in an attempt to fight the downpour.  And still? We were all soaked.

And not one drop that fell from the steel sky or one strand of rain-soaked hair dampened anyone's spirits. No, in fact, we danced.

I even heard that one big fat check and mark was made on someone's bucket list for the line item Dancing in the rain.




We knew why we were there.




By the way, the sea of blue shirts worn by 100 volunteers was amazing.


Some other little guys decided to dance in the rain as well... and bounce.




Recognize our grillers from this engagement shoot? Big hearts, I tell you.



For every adventurous little soul that smiled after picking out a new backpack filled with supplies for their first or second, even fourth or fifth year of school.

For every mama who thanked us knowing one more worry was crossed off the list, one more burden was tossed to the side.

We knew why we were there.




For all the littles that clung to their new gifts and rummaged through their bags to find the good stuff.

For every parent that cried because they couldn't afford all the things necessary to start the year off on their own.

We knew why we were there.



For all the people that gave up their Saturday to paint smiley faces on sticky little cheeks, that moderated spontaneous wrestling matches in the bounce house and directed pint sized wet bodies off the big blow up slide before big brother came down.

For all the savory bags of fresh-popped popcorn handed out to drooling recipients and teams volleying for the title win.

We knew why we were there.



For every rumbling tummy that received a chocolate or strawberry covered scoop.

For every little heart that will remember they are loved when they feel alone at some point in a classroom full of kids.

We knew why we were there.



Spiderman made an appearance as well. 



My man didn't do so bad at volleying himself. Jump, baby, jump.



When you know why you're here, all the unexpected "what's" don't matter.

And so it was this day. The "unexpecteds" just added to the days memorable status. I can see a group sitting around a coffee table swirling a drink of something good and laughing through tales of "remember when..." And this day? It's sure to be a part of it.