There was a graphic designer who was hired for her first career job at a small, creative marketing firm. She got to dream up and create things such as filming a dog and pony show to showcase the company’s portfolio. Life was pretty good.

Then one day a copywriter in a light brown dress with shoulder length, curly hair and a bicycle helmet on entered the firm’s doors smiling. Her laughter was magnetic, warm and inviting. Her name was Jessica Holmes. The designer knew instantly she wanted Jessica and her to be good friends.

Four years later, after another successful evening of Story, Story Night, the designer is wearing ochre tights (Target: $5) and celebrating that friendship with Jessica, and the ones that have followed in her wake.

Jessica attracts talented, passionate and goodhearted people. Because of this, the designer has met many new friends.  This dress is a Target hand-me-down from one of those generous and creative souls, Kelly Lynae, a woman with a mesmerizing singing and writing voice. Bottoming out this outfit are chocolate velvet, high heeled shoes from a thrift store, $5-6.

It is hard to tell what is going on in this photo, but you should know Kelly is wearing something epic and she might be sharing it with you on Monday.

The wooden necklace was a Christmas gift from last year. The green turquoise the designer may never take off is antique Navajo silver jewelry given to her by her mom.

This is the designer’s date, another gifted and talented friend of Jessica’s. He’s a conceptual artist whose paintings are inspired by introspection and social analysis. His name is Marcus Pierce and he is a keeper. Largely because he waited around for a long time while the designer shot photos of the FU ladies.

Thank you Jessica, for changing and enriching this designer’s life. I hope there is no end to this story.

Anna, I love these photos you took of me.
AND . . . Happy Birthday Kelly!!!