America

Happy Memorial Day

^My friend Ashleigh, she is too cool with her Fleetwood Mac Tee.^

I have always loved this country. America. Something about it. Junior year of high school I participated in girls state, a government simulation camp. I even went on to be a Junior Counselor the following year. Next to fostering some of the strongest friendships I have, I also learnt so much about our country. I gained so much respect for the flag. The red, the white, the blue, the stars and stripes, all of it. Memorial Day is about paying your respects for those who have lost their lives protecting this country in war. I took these photos the Friday after the tragic events of Marathon Monday. It has taken me so long to post these because the emotion behind each and every photo is still so so strong in me (oh and I took about 500 and narrowing them down was difficult). Moments after the last bomber was taken into custody, a weight was lifted. Lifted off of each and every citizen of Boston's shoulders. We had been living in fear for the past few days. Glued to the news, and when we heard he was captured, we all flocked to the streets. All of the surrounding colleges students in the streets. Dancing and cheering and singing the national anthem and every other patriotic song that stumbled to our tongues. Clapping and waving for the men and women in uniform, those who had protected us the whole week. There were celebrations like this, cheerful riots, makeshift parades, all over the city at this very moment. I have never felt more alive, more exhilarated than I did in these moments. Surrounded by friends, acquaintances  strangers. All of us, feeling truly FREE. My love and respect has grown, my heart has swelled even more for this country and my city, Boston, and all of the people who fight to keep us safe. Making History.

xoxo