We were celebrating our 15th anniversary, and I was expecting eight inches…of snow…to add to the excitement. The weather gods had been warning us mere mortals for a week that big snow was on the way.
Looking upwards, I saw the sky was grey and pouting, so a storm seemed possible. Looking downwards, I wondered why my husband was wearing tennis shoes as he put a shovel in the back of our SUV. Optimism with a healthy dose of experience, maybe?
We arrived at the Nicolette Island Inn in Minneapolis late in the afternoon. I opened the shuttered windows in our room and immediately noticed the high contrast of the white snow and black river. So pretty! Turning for my camera bag, I suddenly remembered I hadn’t brought it along. This was supposed to be a celebration of our wedding vows, and I wanted to focus on my husband, not on scenes and possible photographs.
A short while later we went for a walk, and with each step, I envisioned the shots I would have taken IF I had brought along my camera. But, again, this wasn’t about shooting. This was about love. Concentrate on love. Fifteen magical years of love with my husband who is still my white knight.
By the time we arrived at the Dakota, a jazz club in downtown Minneapolis, I was getting twitchy. Our seats were practically on the stage, and the lighting was moody.
“Arrrrgh! Can I borrow your iPhone?†I said with a little too much heavy breathing.
“Why?†said my husband. “The show is about to start.â€
“I um, want to take a couple of pictures.†My hands were shaking.
He smirked at me and slid the phone over. Feeling self-conscious, I took a few shots and then handed it back. It felt like I had caved in to wanton desires that have little to do with wedding anniversaries.  I put my hand in my husband’s and let the music wash over us.
As we drove back to the Inn, I watched the snowfall. It would make an interesting photo against the backdrop of…
Accepting the photographer within…it was the best part of my day. Now, the best part of my night is none of your business. Wink, wink.
Gail, this is a great story. I totally get that about the ‘photographer within’. So many times I have thought, this would make a nice picture, but alas, no camera. Of course there always is the phone!
Wonderful writing!
Thank you, Cher Marie. Many years ago there was a Saturday Night Live skit–I think–where the person left his the camera at home and then saw Big Foot, a spaceship, and other wonders. That would be me!
Gail, your words paint the picture. No photo needed!
Wow! That is a huge compliment, Annette. Thank you. As a writer wanna-be it is the goal to let the reader see what is in my head. I appreciate your visits and all you do in this world.