no one talks shit about my city!

Dearest Joliet,

I know it has been the cool thing for all these artist to come to you and make work nestled in your historic and textured landscape but I would like to remind you that I have seen your grungy beauty long before it was cool. I had my first kiss behind a truck on Richards street, I learned how to drive a (stick shift) car on all your one way streets that I frequently went the wrong way down to the horror of my passenger mother. I went to high school in the halls of Joliet Central and learned to appreciate diversity and activism because of the teachers that chose to work there ignoring the "reputation." I developed my first black and white photograph in a building made of the limestone from our own quarries. I frequently got ice cream at a place with bullet holes in the window and was told that you know you're getting good ice cream when you would shoot someone for it.  I remained proud of you even when my friends make jokes about Joliet, pronouncing it like "toilet". I almost punched that bat faced girl in the eye when she said she knew who was going to Joliet on the train because they are as "trashy as all get out".  I know sometimes we get a bad rap because our community struggles, but we are fighters. We know how lucky we are to cross the bridges over sunrise and see the whole city come alive. When everyone else is going to apple bees we go to the department, 158 north, or Chicago street.  I may have a bone to pick with you about Larkin Street but we all have our problem spots, and I can over look it.

You are beautiful darling, not just because of your dilapidated buildings that make photos look so 'neat', but because of your people, your history, and your heart. I went to Colorado for a week, and didn't see anyone of any different ethnicity then me. It was disheartening to see.

My dearest Joliet, you must know,  no matter where I go, or whoever I will meet, I will carry your steel and stone city in my heart because it has made me a better me.

Love,

Alicia

In memory of John Regis.

"There's nothing like a song about lost love to remind you how everything precious can slip from the hinges where you've hung it so careful.  June played with her eyes closed... You have never heard such music, how it made us believe death was nothing but a doorway. "

- The secret life of bees. Sue Monk Kidd

I sat with Sue over BLT's listening to stories that day. About how her Uncle was really funny, and how close everyone was. I watched her get a small smile when she talked about how she was her uncle's favorite, or so the joke went. How everyone would tease, that sue could get away with anything because of how much her uncle john thought she could do no wrong. The kind of memories that made even me sad, that I didn't get to experience them. The thing that made me the most sad, was when Sue paused and said "I don't know what I was thinking" why didn't I just record his laugh? so I could have it now and hear it on days like this". That thought hit me so close to home. I thought of my parents and how my dad complains that he has a photogapher for a daughter and he still doesnt have a good facebook photo and how I know how important these things are and yet I neglect documenting my own memories of the people closest to me. Right then I decided, let's start now. Lets document your family's life now because in reality none of us has forever, but we can always leave a trail of bread crumbs back to these moments with photos, and cell phone videos, and journals, and tattoos. 
It had been one year since John opened his eyes and took a deep breath somewhere where it didn't hurt to breath.  And the pain of losing someone is never easy and seems unfair, but there is a peace in knowing that person is just waiting there for the real party to start.

Patricia, Johns wife, and Michelle his daughter got tattoos on the year of his death to remember him and so I went with to document the tattoos, and their story and we did family portraits with the entire family around the tree that they planted for him in the Elwood Childrens Garden.

all you need is love.

There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you
in time - It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

the beatles

Tim and Annie separately are about the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.  in fact Annie's friends joked while helping her tie her corset dress that all the pain was for all the times Annie said "sorry" when there was no reason to be sorry or all the times she said "wooo" while driving around a corner.  They are the type of friends that you can count on to help you move when everyone else says they are "busy" and they will never complain that it is your fifth time moving this year.  The two of them apart are so sweet and kind hearted but together they make the most ridiculously cute and sweet couple that everyone feels welcomed around.

I was so glad I had the pleasure of shooting their wedding, because it was as unique and thoughtful as the two of them. One of my favorite parts about the wedding was that Annie bought Tim a pair of purple addidas to wear at the wedding, and whenever everyone saw they would say "Annie let you wear those?!" and Tim would say "Annie bought them!" they are a couple that totally gets one another, and supports their differences, which I think is beautiful.

Annie is Chinese and Tim is Jewish so there were so many interesting and cool traditions that they incorporated into their ceremony from both sides of their heritage. Tim had to "bribe" his way into the house to meet Annie before the wedding by answering a series of questions the brides maids gave him. They did not go easy on him, but he made it through. They also had a tea ceremony in which the bride and groom served the parents tea and the parents gave them a wedding gift. Along with the breaking of the glass and the chair dance, all the traditions made the wedding really personal and fun. I loved being able to be a part of them and photograph them.

the cake topper has been in Tim's family for a few generations. Just another thoughtful part of their wedding.

Tim and Annie met online and talked through emails until they decided to meet face to face. Tim says that the first date they had they got kicked out of every place they went because they were closing and Tim and Annie couldn't stop talking, so they would have to leave to find another place that was open. Tim said he drove home from their first date and was elated to find that Annie had called him. And that was it. They both knew from the very first date that they were made for each other. They both agree they fell on love on that very first date and despite them living in different countries (him in the states and her in Canada) they didn't let the distance keep them apart. because even with miles between them, they held onto what's important. and in the end, all you need is love...