If you read this blog, you know that my oldest daughter Emma and her three best friends share a friendship that is very very special.
Over the last 4 years, I have taken thousands of pictures of them. Thousands.
They have helped me become a better photographer, and a better mom.
I knew I wanted to send them off to University with something special. At first, the obvious choice was scrapbooks. But if you've ever visited a dorm room, then you know that the scrapbooks probably wouldn't have survived the next 4 years.
Then it came to me, photobooks!
And so it began. I kept it as timeless and simple as possible, with a few meaningful and fun quotes thrown in.
I chose Photobook Canada and I couldn't be happier. They have a great promo on, which is always a bonus, but the quality of the finished product is fantastic! I have used other photobook suppliers in the past and this one is the nicest quality and most beautiful end product, in my opinion.
Here are a few shots (the books are 11"x11"):
I divided the book into 4 sections, 1 for each year of high school, and each section has a section opener, again very simple:
I closed the book with this quote:
And after tonight, they finally have them!! Getting the four of them together right now is challenging, life is busy when you're 18, working, socializing and getting ready for University!
Needless to say, the tears were flowing and the moment was very special, as are they :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Oh wow Kathy!!!
The books are absolutely beautiful & very special for them to have! That was so thoughtful of you to do that for them ~ wow .... just as they are lucky to have each other, they have you ... an amazing photo-taker (is that your less serious name for it!) mom :) hehe
Seriously, I cannot say enough about your photos & I cannot even imagine how touched they were to get those!!
So beautiful & thoughtful :)
Oh, and that cover photo ~ gorgeous!!!!!
Posted by: Lorelle | August 10, 2010 at 11:28 PM
how beautiful! i will confess that i have been holding back tears for the past few days...only 3 weeks until Hope leaves!
Posted by: Katrina | August 10, 2010 at 11:28 PM
What an amazing gift! I'm sure those books are something they'll treasure always...
Posted by: April W | August 11, 2010 at 01:10 AM
What a beautiful treasure to give them Kathy!
Posted by: stephanie schan | August 11, 2010 at 01:21 AM
Oh Kathy!!!!
Wow!!! Emma and Rebecca are two very lucky girls to have you as their momma!!!
What a very special and unique gift that all four of the girls will look at and cry over and treasure and hug and hold on to and covet and cherish and long for those days over and over and over again for years to come.
YOU are one very amazing person, you know that!!!
Posted by: Christine Campbell | August 11, 2010 at 02:12 AM
What a gift, I'm sure they all think you are wonderful now, but 20 years down the road they will truly appreciate how lucky they are to know you.
Posted by: melanie | August 11, 2010 at 06:43 AM
I cannot thank you enough for opening your home and life to my daughter. She is forever changed because of it.
Posted by: Penny | August 11, 2010 at 06:55 AM
What a truly thoughtful and terrific gift that they will always treasure. Great job Kathy!
Posted by: Teresa | August 11, 2010 at 08:43 AM
what an amazing gift .. i am sure the girls will love this for years to come.. Great job kathy ;-)
Posted by: Kristine | August 11, 2010 at 08:50 AM
you are truly a wonderful mom KT! that is something the girls will treasure for the rest of their lives! I love your pictures and I'm really thankful that they let you take all those pictures and that you so willingly share that info with all of us!!
HUGS!
Posted by: Ellen Y | August 11, 2010 at 01:33 PM
My eyes were brimming with tears as I read this post. I adore the quote.
Best to your family as you prepare to send your girl off to uni.
Posted by: Marianne | August 11, 2010 at 01:59 PM
Wow, Kathy! What an incredible gift you gave them. Totally made me tear up.
I'm totally looking into that site to create some books of my own - I want to do one for my 365 photo-a-day project.
Posted by: Heather M. | August 11, 2010 at 03:06 PM
Oh my! What a beautiful, thoughtful gift. I have to tell you, my eyes are pretty teary just reading this post! Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: Diane W | August 11, 2010 at 08:36 PM
What a fabulous gift, KT! They are beautiful!
Posted by: Lorraine M. | August 12, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Gorgeous!!! I did this last year for my son and his 8 best friends! All the photos were from a pre-grad photo shoot I did at their favorite hang out spot. They each rec'd one as a complete surprise for Xmas 2009 after being seperated for university for 4 months. Needless to say it was a huge hit!
Posted by: Beth | August 13, 2010 at 09:39 PM
wow. what a treasured gift of memories for the girls. Well done to you pulling it off in your busy lives. And in pulling it all together.
Truly special
Posted by: tiff | August 16, 2010 at 09:05 AM
WOW !!! what an amazing gift for these girls, I am sure they will treasure the photos and memories forever. I will have to keep this in mind for my daughters grad in a couple of years. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Bonnie | August 16, 2010 at 01:59 PM