My dear friend, Jodi, asked me last year if I would photograph her son's Bar Mitzvah and I happily said "OF COURSE!" but, I had a confession to make to her first: I had never been to a Bar Mitzvah before. I grew up going to Catholic school so I missed out on all the amazing Mitzvah celebrations as a child.

I told Jodi that I certainly understood if she wanted to hire someone who, well, knew what they were doing. But Jodi said no, it had to be me. She wanted my fresh take on the day. She liked that I'd shoot it the way I saw it and she liked that my style captured moments, not poses.  So, even though I was TERRIFIED, I put my big girl camera over my shoulder and made my way to Temple for the first time.

Before I start displaying all the gorgeous memories of Ben's special day, I just need to say that my first Bar Mitzvah was an incredible experience! Jodi's three boys are some of the greatest children I've ever come across. They are sweet and funny and kind, but they are also extremely respectful. Sitting in temple with Ben's family and friends, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the community, the tradition and the love that filled the room. The speeches from Ben's parents to their son -- to their son who has just become a man in the eyes of God -- were so very incredibly touching that I felt the urge all day to just jump in the middle of all of it and just hug every single one of these wonderful people. And I might, I just might have been doing the ugly cry a few times behind my lens.