Why are pictures of our loved ones so important to us?

In honor of Father’s Day, I recently put a call out to my email subscribers asking them to share with me their favorite “father” picture. I didn’t have any parameters other than any dad that was important to them and it had to be their FAVORITE picture of them. I can’t tell you that I was shocked by the response I received.

As the pictures came in, there was a clear trend. Every picture submitted told a story. Each person had a deep, meaningful connection to the pictures. They told stories of love and loss. They were of moments they’d never forget. There was no mention about how cute the picture was or how handsome the dad in them was.

This is why pictures of our loved ones are so important to us – they are filled with stories and memories. Make sure you have pictures of your loved ones and also be in these pictures so you can be a part of your loved ones stories and memories. These pictures are important to us because these people matter to us, these relationships matter and these memories matter.

When was the last time you had photos taken of those relationships that matter? If it’s been too long, quit making excuses. You don’t get that time back. You don’t want to wait to long and lose the opportunity.

Now, onto everyone’s favorite “father” pictures! Thank you to everyone who submitted something.

 

I’ll begin with my favorite father picture. This is the moment my husband held our our oldest for the first time – the exact moment he became a father. He didn’t just hold him, he looked down at him with tears streaming off the tip of his nose never once wanting to look away. I remember looking over and falling more in love with him than the day we were married. Still one of my favorite memories.

 

“I love (these pictures) because it shows how involved he is. It’s not just a picture of them standing together, but pictures of him being a part of their lives. (The top image) shows real emotion. He’s proud and she loves her Daddy.” – April M.

 

“One of my favorites was right before we walked down the aisle. I look super concerned and pop was calming me down, telling me this was the moment I had been waiting for. He was trying so hard to get me out of my head and to just enjoy it. Don’t think I would have gotten through planning if it weren’t for him.” – Shannon H. (photo credit Vivian Kvam)

 

“This picture of (my dad) is one of the very few I have. He was such a handsome guy. Sometimes, after they are gone, memories fade. Pictures bring them back to ‘life’.” – Cindy M.

 

“This is my favorite of you and your dad. It shows such a raw, vulnerable emotion. I can go right back to that moment.” – Cindy M.

 

“I love that they were playing and being silly in the box while I was having coffee. And they took a minute to send me a pic so I knew they were thinking about me.” – Jill H.