babes, birthdays

Some of my favourite people have birthdays in the hot, hot months of February and March. After a small hiatus, I figure this is as good a reason as any to get back to the blog and dig out some sweet portraits. It's also a nice way to reflect on the downright necessity of excellent friends and family by highlighting just a few of their lovely faces.

Taka - with the mind of a ninety year old, the face of a nineteen year old and the energy of a nine year old - kicks off the festivities with an early February date.

Shasta, pictured here with her affable little (big) brother Corbin, will no doubt out-party everyone during her traditional birthday week of celebrations - and still make it into work on time. When I moved in with her, I hoped Shasta would be a good housemate. As it turns out, she's like some amazing buy-one-get-one-free shoe deal at True Blue Shoes, because I got an excellent friend, too.

Despite our many differences in appearance and character, my only sibling, Maydia, is still the only person in the world to understand me on certain levels. If you have a brother or sister, you will probably know what I mean. It's an easy thing to overlook but I have come to realise that it's something that should never be taken for granted. I have no doubt Maydia will celebrate in glorious fashion when her March date rolls around. If she can afford it.

And Sasha, that kooky Russian who has, on occasion, driven me to distraction with her various and multiple neuroses. Who is also the most unwaveringly honest, kind and loyal friend I am probably ever likely to have. I'm not sure how she'll be celebrating her birthday, but I can only hope she knows that she is truly worthy of every kind of festivity coming her way - in March and beyond.

I am positively lucky to have these four wonderful people in my life, and I am even more blessed because I am close to many more glorious souls whose birthdays fall outside of these select months (or whose February–March birthdays escape me at this moment). And I think it's important to acknowledge that from time to time.