a girlfriend is a sister you choose

Joy is realising a smile, a smile that stretches from the corners of the mouth up to the eyes. Browsing the results of today's shoot with the my darling girlfriend, the elder sis I never had, I felt the emotion from those candid shots. Those shots of us laughing so heartily ignited a sense of nostalgia in me. I remembered the times where smiles were always so real. Where emotion was so freely expressed without qualms of expectation.

I wondered, since when did our smiles start to be part of a facade, when did that radiance lose its glimmer, that warmth lose its tenderness. I pondered and realised, that sometimes that plastered on smile becomes so much a part of us we don't even figure. And then I realised how precious smiles truly are when they come from deep inside. Not a forced dismissive smile, but a smile that emotes what's inside be it gratitude to the doorman for opening the door, to a colleague for a favour or even to friends and family who make your day. A smile that is true will somehow reach the other person and send an unspoken message like no other. And when the other person's face light up, it's enough to keep that smile glued to your face. And honestly, it may look silly, but the feeling of smiling genuinely for a day does wonders.

Thanks XY for making me smile like that and realise and treasure these smiles. For the memories that have been captured and will be cherished for always. I love you girl!Friends forever, sisters to the end! Girlfriend, you're the sister I chose!