inside: a photo series// you felt like coming home

 

name: kaitlyn
age: twenty-one

what is your middle name?
danae.

how would you describe yourself?
i, myself, am made entirely of contradictions. sometimes, i am black and white. often times, i am the grey space that rests in between. i am an old soul who prefers thrifted sweaters, antique jewelry, and loafers. i am complex, yet i strive for simplicity. i am lonely, but never alone. i am strong and compassionate. sometimes, i am invisible; sometimes, i am sad. these things are okay. i thrive on creativity and moments. i believe in magic, and true love, and timing. my eyes change color like mood rings, always giving me away. i am so much more than can be put into words and i am ever changing. i am just kaitlyn.

how do you think others perceive you?
i actually think about this often, and i truly don’t really know. i come off differently to different individuals, i’m sure. i’m never quite the same person, even to myself. but, i’m sure others find me quite strange, i suppose. and i am okay with that.


what makes you happy?
autumn. strong, freshly brewed coffee. chasing sunrises and sunsets. capturing moments. singing in the shower. driving with the windows down. empire records. vinyl. thrifted treasures. blogging. filled book shelves. prose. the smell of an old book. pumpkin spice lattes. maple leaves. babies. peppermint tea. crisp, white walls. my mama’s smile. my bed. people who sing and play the guitar for me. writing. talking to the moon. talks with madre. bare feet. animal crackers. making homemade pies. the smell after it rains. finding pennies and flipping them so they’re heads up. mama’s cooking. sleep. watching the trees blowing in the breeze. giving compliments. family time. laughing. 3am. skipping. heart to hearts. witnessing love.


describe one of your favorite memories.
i would have say that one of my all time favorite memories would have to be the day my parents threw me my (kind of) surprise sixteenth birthday party. my family and friends were all gathered in one place and we all laughed, and danced, and sang. it was one of the best days of my life. i felt so very special and so loved.


what are you struggling with right now?
i am in a constant battle within myself: struggling with who i am and who i would like to be. i always wish to be better. to be more of this and less of that and vise versa. excepting myself as i am has never come easily for me. i never want being content to become settling. i would like to be the best version of myself, always- no matter the circumstance.


where do you see yourself within three years?
oh, boy. i would love to have started a family. working towards owning my own house. traveling everywhere. and to be really doing what i love, work wise. maybe selling my own art work, or writing a book, or running my own coffee shop. my opportunities are endless and that amazes me.
 
what is love to you?
love is letting them lick the spoon after you’ve iced the cake, even though it’s your favorite part. it’s knowing when to listen and when to react. it’s lending them your favorite sweater when they’re chilly. it’s brushing your teeth together in the mornings when you still have sleep in your eyes. it’s blowing on their fingers to warm them. it’s knowing that they don’t like mushrooms on their pizza, or tomatoes on their hamburgers, and that they forget to close the cereal bag every morning after breakfast, so you close it for them so it doesn’t get stale. love is requesting their favorite song on the jukebox. it’s watching television together. it’s making sure they have their seat belt fastened. sometimes, it’s letting them win. other times, it’s pushing them to their limit. it’s telling them they have something on their nose. it’s compromise and team work. it’s being individuals and also a unit. it’s trusting and kind. it takes effort. it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. love is not having to say a word, yet knowing. it is everything.


who is your inspiration to be a better person?
i am my own inspiration. i would like to be the best person i can be, for myself.


what without fail can always make you laugh?
being around my sister, morgie. she and i are connected in a way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve felt it before with someone, yourself. she used to stick those candy dots up her nose until her nostrils turned colors- if that tells you anything.

what is the best thing about your parents?

mamabear: she has the biggest of hearts. she puts others before herself. she is an amazing cook, even though she always second guesses the final product. she is absolutely beautiful inside and out. she makes me want to be a better person. she’s accommodating, and she knows when something is wrong, without even having to say so. she was born to be a mother and she’s wonderful at it. she’s strong. she doesn’t expect perfection, but she has the ability to see people perfectly.

daddy: he’s strong willed and intelligent. he’s down to earth and helpful. he’s a hard worker and always puts fourth one hundred percent in everything he does. he dances with me in the produce isle. when i was little, he let me put makeup on him and paint his nails. he is creative and effective. he sees the possibility in any situation. he’s driven and does everything he can to support his family.

what song defines your life at the moment?
hiding my heart- brandi carlile

http://youtu.be/3Snph1Y_HXQ

what is home to you?
i can’t imagine calling one place home. i find my home in people, and moments, and looks, and smells. in places and feelings. home to me is the smell of sweet amaretto in the morning. the scent of maple in my clothes and on my skin. cigarette smoke clinging to the air. kissing on the lips and holding hands. skinned knees and bare feet. 2085 howard ave. schons st. 619 south st. the hansens. home is in the hearts of the people i love.