Tori Piercy Photography » Tori Piercy specializes in lifestyle photography for families, children, newborns, babies, infants, maternity, engagements and seniors in Panama City, Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Apalachicola, Navarre, Niceville, Florida Panhandle, and Pensacola areas.

I truly believe in life we see things we are meant to see.

Back in December when Matilda Jane announced their yearly Photo Love contest I just *knew* even then it was something I was supposed to see. Instantly a picture flashed into my head that you guys now know and even more important who I would take as my +1 on the trip. See, I have had this amazing best friend since I was 15 years old. I am an only child and she is the sister I never had. Her name is Francis and she’s one of the most special people I have ever known. On October 27th, 2009 Francis was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Then she was diagnosed with spinal tumors up and down her spinal bones. And then 18 tumors attached to her thyroid. And then renal kidney failure. So completely unfair

So you see this was a contest so much more than me. Yeah I’d be lying to say I didn’t want to win it. But I really really REALLY wanted to win it for Frannie. To be able to give her this absolutely amazing girls trip. Really, how often do those sorts of opportunities come along? I was totally meant to see that contest that dayAnd more fate, the collection was named You & Me.

As soon as we touched down in Colorado, we saw the MJC girls and Jamie and it was like seeing long lost girlfriends. I mean, who else could you have a pajama karoke party with on the very first day you’ve known them??

That’s Sam and Kelly, MJC girls who were the stars of the show that night! But let it be known, Frannie and I did a real mean Beyonce “Single Ladies”

We spent lots of time caravaning

Colorado was amazingly beautiful!

Saw adorable places like this

And had car problems…

When Frannie saved the day (I told ya she was amazing!)

We did a little shopping

And there were surprises

Of adorable bunny ears

But most important, this was a trip about friends. Life long friends that will always be dear to me.

I wish I took my camera out more to capture the pow wows in Jamie’s room lying all over the place talking about anything and everything, the amazing food Jamie cooked for us, our final dinner, the silly moments we had, the eyelashes! As Francis and I sat at the airport waiting to board the plane to go home, she shared a fb message she sent to Sam the night before. Francis has two adorable boys so she had never really been exposed to Matilda Jane other than seeing the cute stuff I would put on my kids. She talked of feeling alive and being useful. She said she found a bit of herself in finding Matilda Jane.

She found a bit of herself.

I still can’t say that without crying.

I am so incredibly thankful to have had this experience and to have these amazing people in my life. White Lily you will always have a piece of my heart <3

You & Me is an absolutely amazing collection! I petted them the entire time I was there, it is truly so beautiful! I am not quite sure how Denise and Sam do it. Really, they are so talented! This so far is my favorite collection and that’s really saying a lot. Gosh, I can’t wait for everyone to see how darling it isI will be hosting a virtual show and more information will be on my business page if you don’t have a trunk keeper and would like to order something.

It has been so fun seeing the pictures, here’s Jamie, me and Val. Love you girls!

Until next time…