Live It Out Photo Blog

So THIS happened last week and I’m still melting:

Photo of Don Little by Justin Goode.

Justin :: For months now, I’ve been keeping track of Amber Mahoney‘s Present Company Project. It’s quite inspiring for me…I had always wanted to try it out, but never seemed to have the courage. Last night, when I was walking around a local park with my wife, I noticed a gentlemen resting on a bench near one of the baseball fields. I thought to myself, “Now’s the time…” I walked up to him, introduced myself and told him that I’d like to take his photo. He looked at me, puzzled at first, but then his face relaxed and he agreed.

After I snapped the photo, I asked, “If you could give a stranger some insight/advice and could sum it up in one sentence, what would that be?” He chuckled and said that sort of thing has to be discussed over about 12 beers. I laughed and agreed, but I waited for a response. After a few seconds in thought, he looked up and said “Well…I suppose the pursuit of happiness, over time, turns into the pursuit of living.”

SO MANY THANK YOU’s to Justin for sharing this lovely story and beautiful polaroid. I hope you’re all having a wonderful week!

Let me begin by saying a GIANT THANK YOU to Lanikai, The IMPOSSIBLE Project and to each and every one of YOU for entering our contest! When we first put this giveaway together, we had no idea what we were in for…with HUNDREDS of messages, the turn out was overwhelming in the best possible way and we were so touched by every single one of you who submitted a loved one for these gifts. We loved getting to know you through your entries.

A MONDO SHOUT OUT to our runner-up, Michelle Ward, whose inspiring musical and just general ADORABLENESS knocked our socks off.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, say hello to our winner (and husband extraordinaire) Aaron Lee and his lovely wife, Lisa!

“I am writing you with the hope of being able to give my wife this beautiful ukelele. We have two wonderful children, and as anyone with children knows, they have the ability to drive you crazy. I am a firefighter which means I work 24 hour shifts, leaving my wife home alone to care for our children. I know how much work she has to do to care for the kids and run the household while I am away. She recently started playing the ukulele as a way to escape and relax and it sounds beautiful. I would love to give her a ukulele that she deserves to have so that her escapes can be that much more enjoyable. I love her so much. Please help me help her by choosing me as the recipient of this beautiful instrument so that I can show my wife how much she means to me. Thank you for your consideration.”

So. Many. Tears.

And now, THE GIVEAWAY:

“When I received your email saying that I had been chosen as the winner of the ukelele, I was shocked. I had never won anything before and so I was a little beside myself. Lisa was sitting next to me when I read this and the look on my face made her ask what was going on. At this point I had to show her and let her in on what just happened. I didn’t want her to worry or get some other idea about what was going on. She was as shocked as I was to learn of this news… She began to cry and we hugged each other. Her reaction to this made me feel wonderful, even though I had spoiled the surprise a little.”

“The ukelele arrived a day or two before our 14th anniversary, and so the timing was perfect. On the day of our anniversary, we went out for lunch to our favorite Thai restaurant to celebrate. After ordering, I handed her a silver ukelele charm I had gotten for her, along with the letter that I had submitted to you for the contest. As she read the letter she began to cry and could barely finish reading it. I know she knows that I love her, but to see in words what she means to me was really special for both of us.”

“When we got home I gave her the ukelele and she was so excited. I could tell that she instantly loved it and I know she will put it to very good use. She truly deserves this and I am so glad to be the one to have given it to her. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give my wife such a wonderful gift. This has helped to make our relationship just a little stronger.”

I’ve probably read his letter 50 times and it still gives me the weebly wobblies.

THANK YOU again to everyone who participated in this giveaway. Until next time, happy FALL-ing!

Family polaroids by Aaron Lee. Film: The IMPOSSIBLE Project’s PX 680.