I will admit that the day before this session I was knee deep in a seven hour photography workshop that focused on in home lifestyle sessions for young families.  In a consistent effort to grow in my ability to direct families in a way that will bring out their natural expression and relational dynamic, I found myself dutifully taking notes that would better engage that intentionality.  Although granted, with young children being an element of focus, I watched the photographer constantly use tickling as a way to pull out that natural joy.  Yet here I was, less than twenty four hours later, and at a session but not in someone’s home, nor with young children.  Although my seven hour blitz, absorbing what I could with scampering children at my feet, was incredibly helpful, I also found myself unable to shake what I had just seen, and will be the first to admit that at one point in this session I asked this gracious dad to tickle her well into teenage years daughters.  *insert wide-eyed emoji, followed by a wink*

Though I will be sure to remember to turn to others ways of laughter, I realized as well that sometimes we need those downright silly moments to remind us that once a daughter, always a daughter.  Once a dad, always a dad.   Interactions may be a bit more physically subtle than a tickle fight, but laughter just as imperative.  May the genuineness of laughter always remind us that though we grow up, we need never grow apart.