Throughout my life, I have always loved going through old photo albums filled with thousands of pictures that my family has collected over the years. It’s true what they say: “Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” Looking back at photographs can instantly transport you right back to a specific moment or feeling that you may not have thought about for a long time.
I love seeing pictures of my parents before my brother and I were born. Seeing glimpses into their lives as young adults reminds me that they are not different from myself at this age now, navigating their lives with endless possibilities ahead of them. My parents have known each other since high school, and through their photos I can see how they grew and changed over the years together. I feel very privileged to experience their stories as they explain a funny picture from college or recall a meaningful experience. These moments help me understand not only who they were, but also how these memories shaped the people they are today.
Growing up surrounded by these photo albums inspired me to create my own. About twice a year, I will print out a bunch of photos and add them to a physical album. Especially since most pictures these days are digital, it makes the memory seem more real and long lasting when you can hold it in your hand. Occasionally, I flip through the pages with my friends, recounting some of our best memories all throughout our lives. From embarrassing middle school pictures to prom night and graduation, the moments seem just as vivid as the day they happened. It gives me a sense of gratitude and perspective for everything I’ve experienced throughout my life, and for the amazing people who have been with me along the way.
As this school year is coming to an end, the importance of capturing the last moments of our time here seems like a top priority. Each experience is being transformed into a memory that one day I’ll look back on in the same way I look at older photos now. I feel an obligation to preserve these memories, not only in my mind, but in photographs I can return to for years to come.