p.i.n.s.
In 2006 I thought I knew it all.
I was 17 years old and a senior in high school.
That same year I was defined a ward of the court;
filed under Person In Need of Supervision in the state of New York.
Pin originated from the Latin word pinna meaning “point, tip, edge”.
Pins are also known to hold things together.
This is a story about pins.
They were our next door neighbors. She was also one of our teachers.
Their house was the first place I ran to.
More than a Guidance Counselor.
This is where she was standing when she told me it was wrong.
I never listened.
She was at the right place at just the right time.
As a result, he became my legal guardian.
The one on the left used to sleep in my bed as a decoy when I snuck out.
The one in the middle begged me not to go.
The one on the right used to be a Momma's boy.
They fostered me at 6 months old and again at age 17.
They are standing on the driveway that raised me in front of the house that built me.
She was my best friend; her future military career was jeopardized.
She is now a Drill Sergeant in the US Army.
More than a Secretary.
He was my best friend who helped to properly introduce us.
She let me sleep on their couch when I had no where to go.
This is where she made me tell her everything.
There was a cast iron skillet in her hand.
His 4th grade students said goodbye to him on a Friday afternoon and never saw him again.
24
My life and the people in it have been forever fleeting. At 24 years old, I was surrounded by a very tight-knit group and for the first time in my entire life, I felt loved. I wanted to document it. I was in such disbelief that I wanted proof these people existed down the road.
Life is hilarious.
Edit: I am 32 now. Four out of ten isn’t so bad.
Karen - My work mom turned real mom.
Edit: Still a rider
Kate - We met in line at the JC during orientation.
She's from Ohio.
Edit: We get together every Sunday and watch church online.
George - He was my work mom's husband. Now, he's my dad.
Edit: Still a rider.
Jason - This kid was in my first class on my first day of real college. I was trying to figure out why he was so dressed up.
Edit: He has a whole family now but we still talk and get together when we can.
Devin - My twin flame. My soulmate.
Edit: She did not know how to handle me at my worst.
Zander - Our first conversation had something to do with why he was eating cold chicken and rice in class.
Edit: Don't sleep with your guy friends.
Jess - My boyfriend's sister in law and also my everything.
Edit: I got ghosted.
Renzo - My boyfriend's brother.
Edit: His brother ghosted me.
Bruno - He used to randomly take out his skateboard and disappear down my street.
Edit: He ghosted me.
Tara - Work married and also real married.
Edit: She also could not handle me at my worst.
elsewhere
Greensboro, NC - 2013
polaroids
