10 Things in My Camera Roll That Make Me Smile

I scroll through my camera roll all the time, way more than I probably should, but it’s because it holds some of my favorite memories. My camera roll isn’t just a collection of photos; it’s full of little reminders of where I’ve been, who I’ve spent time with, and the moments that made me happiest. These aren’t the most perfectly composed or aesthetic pictures, but they’re the ones that instantly make me smile and here’s why.

1. These are my two best friends, Lauren and Sophia. We’ve been inseparable since middle school when I transferred to their school in 6th grade. During high school, our families started doing monthly “family dinners” that quickly became one of my favorite traditions. Every gathering was filled with laughter, stories, and the kind of love that makes you feel so grounded. This photo was taken right before we all went back to school for our junior year: Lauren goes to Syracuse, Sophia goes to CU Boulder, and I go to the University of Miami. No matter the distance, they’ll always be home to me.

   

   
   

This photo was taken during one of my walks along the Pacific Coast Highway in Encinitas, one of my favorite things to do when I’m home. I usually go with my dogs, a friend, or sometimes just by myself. You’ll always see surfers, locals walking their dogs, and the sun slowly setting into the ocean. It’s one of the places that makes me feel most at peace and reminds me how lucky I am to call San Diego home.

3. This photo is from my safari in Tsavo East National Park during Semester at Sea. We had to wake up before sunrise to go on our game drives, and on this particular morning, we hadn’t seen much, until a massive herd of around 50 elephants suddenly appeared. Some of them were babies playfully running around while the older ones calmly walked along. It felt like a moment straight out of a nature documentary, and I couldn’t stop smiling. Definitely a core memory I’ll always hold onto.

4. This picture was taken at Midway, a Topgolf-style spot where the marketing department interns at Veterans United went to practice for our end-of-summer golf tournament. These are the people I worked alongside in the “Whiskey Building,” and they truly made my Missouri summer one of the most fun, unexpectedly amazing experiences I’ve had. Looking at this photo brings back so many laughs and memories, I miss this group all the time.

5. My dogs are truly two of my favorite beings in the world. Coco has been in our family for 12 years, we got her when I was in 3rd grade and living in Seattle. Daisy came into the picture more recently when my parents surprised me with her right before I came home from college two years ago. This photo captures them perfectly, and it makes me so happy every time I look at it.

6. This was taken during my 19th birthday, which I celebrated aboard the ship during Semester at Sea. They have something called “fancy dinner,” where you can pay for a five-course meal and get dressed up, which is rare when you’re living on a ship. It was such a fun night with new friends, and celebrating my birthday while sailing to Morocco? Kind of unreal for a birthday enthusiast like me.

7. This was taken at my high school graduation with one of my favorite teachers, Mr. Caro. He was always in my corner and helped me through a lot more than just assignments. Graduation was such a huge moment, my entire family came into town, and it was the first time everything felt like it was about to change. This photo reminds me of how far I’ve come and the people who helped me get here.

8. I’m obsessed with sunsets, and this one, taken on Semester at Sea, was one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. Whether I’m walking my dogs, sitting with friends, or just taking a solo break, watching the sunset always makes me feel grounded and calm. I’ll never stop chasing skies like this.

9. This is a photo from a walk around Brickell Key in Miami, one of my favorite little hidden gems in the city. It’s hard to believe sometimes that I actually live here. I’ve seen dolphins, manatees, and the cutest dogs while walking this loop, and it’s the perfect escape from the usual college chaos.

10. This blurry, colorful chaos of a photo is from Ultra during Miami Music Week, my favorite week of the entire year. Between the music, the energy, and everyone from school being out and about, it’s truly unlike anything else. Every year, I look forward to Ultra and the unforgettable nights it brings.

Looking through these photos reminded me just how many little moments have made the past few years so special. Whether it was traveling across the world, spending time with lifelong friends, or just walking a familiar path at home, each memory holds its own kind of magic. These photos may seem small, but they represent some of the people, places, and experiences that have shaped who I am, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.