From Nothing.

I am sitting here near tears. Super inspired by my partner.

I remember early in our relationship being introduced to his Leica, a fairly small camera that he often toted around in a spiffy brown leather case. We would take it with us on some of our dates to the park or on walking tours of Brooklyn underneath the bridge.

I definitely hated taking pictures, but I was intrigued by the sleekness of this somewhat sexy device that he loved. I'm not sure if it was more about the cute leather case or the camera itself, but over time, I found myself using it to get in on the fun of capturing things and freezing them in time.

Lawrence's picture taking was cool. I know it secretly somewhat reminded me of my dad. He always had a camera handy at our celebrations, graduations, and family gatherings. Getting us all together for pictures was always an ordeal, but, if my dad had anything to do with it, pictures would be taken by any means necessary.

I remember Lawrence's affinity for photography growing over the course of our relationship. Soon, the little Leica would be replaced a larger apparatus, a Canon. This camera was too big for any cute leather case, but it was surely no less special. It would become a symbol of love from his own dad and the beginning of making a beautiful dream come true.

Things got started with a few maternity shoots and some baby showers, and then the phone continued to ring as people wanted to hire Lawrence to take their family photos and capture weddings through still images and video montages.

Today, when my phone signaled a text message from Lawrence, the words really moved me to tears. Before he could even finish the photo job for a non-profit organization, they requested him to be their OFFICIAL photographer. In that moment, it hit me. From NOTHING, he created a pathway for something he loved.

That testimony really struck me. I stopped mid-dissertating to take that all in. I reflected on what it meant for me and my own process. I grew excited about my own possibility for molding a dream into a flourishing reality.

I am SUPER proud and SUPER excited. Over the course of our relationship, I watched this all come to fruition with my own eyes.

I know both of our dads are smiling.

Here's to 1982 Creative Studios! Exposing the Creativity in Every Moment and reminding us all that dreams do come true.

Check out his work at: 82stu.com

I Love you Lawrence. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with me.

Rest Peacefully, Dr. Maya Angelou.

I vividly remember reciting her poems in my childhood.

In particular, I recall each line of Phenomenal Woman. I recited it proudly in Chapel services and as part of talent showcases with my siblings. The sass of the lines in each stanza of the poem gave me an opportunity to exude a confidence that, at the time, I didn't think I possessed. That poem did something magical for the spirit of a brown girl. I am grateful to her for that.

Just a few months back, I caught myself captivated by her as she sat in conversation with Oprah on Super Soul Sunday. Her stature, the cadence of her voice, and the gentle strength of her spirit were moving; her words, inspiring. Her legacy, undeniable.

I am grateful to her for that.

Dr./Mama Angelou, as you have transitioned and taken your ancestral wings, today, I simply want to whisper to your soul: "I love you."

Thank you for the way you walked this Earth with us.

-Zuleka