Turning 16 is supposed to be special, right? When I think of any kid turning 16 I think of adolescence coming closer to the end. Innocence waning and adulthood right there on the doorstep. Especially with girls. But when someone I’ve known their entire life is turning 16 I think, WHAT? you’ve got to be kidding, weren’t you just 4? Good lord, I’m old. Someone check my pulse. How’s my blood pressure? My god, my first foot is in the grave! It’s game over man, game over!! Or something of the sort anyway. I do eventually get over it…. eventually.

When I heard that someone from my family was to spend her 16th birthday in quarantine, my heart broke. Not because she was sick, or had even tested positive. Nope. Just because she had close contact with someone who had. Yay, she gets to spend it watching Spongebob and eating chicken pot pie. Nice! The world is broken, I must do something, anything. Well, the photos here are what we came up with.

Flowers and forest courtesy of Woodland + Wildflower Weddings

The idea came about when we were told she had a Princess Aroura dress. Crisp, clean and ready for a party. Well, we couldn’t offer her a party, but we can do photos, and if you are looking to take some pics in the forest the first place that comes to mind is Woodland + Wildflower Weddings. It was just a short trip for us, only 35 minutes or so from our home near Athabasca. And guess what? Maybe, just maybe they’ll have a flower or two for us to use! It turns out our hunch was correct. There were plenty there for us to put to use.

Shooting down with 338 helium balloons tied to your back is no fun. No fun at all.

We used that natural mosses and the untouched forests natural feel to set the mood. I think it delivered.

Now, if you are from Alberta, you know the weather is as cooperative as a snake on a leash. It can’t be trusted. But this day wasn’t too bad. It didn’t provide the sunset we wanted, but it didn’t rain. So we had that.

I guess what I was hoping to accomplish was to make a memory for her, something positive. Something to look back on and smile. Happy 16th Birthday my dear. We all love you and hope this next birthday is a little bit better than your last. :)