I had to stop and think how long I have known Cal. Man it has to be 10 years. He was a fresh-faced cub reporter fresh out of college working the high school sports beat like there was no tomorrow when I started working at the Northwest Florida Daily News. Since my shift was the evening shift we spent many days working the same stories watching the high school glory days of hundreds of athletes.

There was the crisp north county fall air during a Baker Football game, the excitement of a local team during state tournaments and many other fond memories.

As time passed, we both left the paper and went on to our “post-journalism” lives. Just before he left town he had me do some beach portraits of he and this beautiful young lady with sparkling blue eyes and wonderful curly blond hair. Cal’s eyes (you may stop reading now to save our friendship Cal) lit up when he looked in her direction. She was a true Georgia peach, educated, well mannered, a wonderful personality and beautiful!! When I took Cal aside and asked him if she could be “the one” for him, he did the typical manish method of beating around the bush. No politicial could have been more proud of his avoidance of a direct answer. I knew right then Miriam was going to be a part of his life forever!

Time passed and word came, Cal was engaged…to his sweet stunning Georgia girl. They were married in the summer and in due time decided that it was time to start their own little family.

Miriam gave birth to a son, Parks, a cute little man with the attitude of his father (I told you not to read this Cal) at times!! But a sweetheart with his mother’s eyes.

It was my pleasure to do their first professional “family” portrait at the Red Dog.

Enjoy!