On Vaish’s birthday last April, we meandered the streets of Roanoke as we waited to meet more friends for a celebratory dinner. The afternoon light was so gorgeous that I knew I had to bring my camera. I grabbed it on my way out the door, talking to Vaish about where we should meet downtown.
April is, in my opinion, the best time of year in Roanoke. The temperatures are so delightfully mild. The humidity is low. All of the springtime blooms rise to the occasion and show off their shapes and colors: daffodils, tulips, cherry blossoms, pansies, magnolias, the works. The pesky bugs have not yet emerged into the world at full force. As we walked the sidewalks and alleyways, the sun was warm on our skin and the gentle breeze its perfect companion.
Vaish looked lovely for her birthday dinner. Her drapey blouse and sweet little skirt fit the mood of downtown Roanoke - cute and stylish without being uptight. Her thick, wavy hair was pulled back from her face. And, of course, Vaish wore her best accessory: her infectious smile! Vaish is someone who loves to laugh and have fun, and it’s absolutely contagious. It’s one of the things I love most about her. When I look at the photos I took of her on that afternoon, I can hear her laugh in my head and a grin starts to creep up my lips.
As the sun sank lower, it was time to gather with friends and celebrate over dinner. This year, we cannot come together in person to celebrate Vaish’s birthday, so I wanted to share these photos in her honor. Happy birthday to my smart, caring, vivacious friend!