The Troup's/Monroeton Public Library, Monroeton, PA/Family Photography

When I think about my family [all 8 of us] – I know I tend to put a silver lining on everyone. In my mind: we never fought [and still don’t], we were perfect little children, and my parents were perfect wonderful parents. We did fun adventurous things together, went on fabulous family vacations, and were always happy happy happy.

That may be how I reminisce things, but I can also promise you that that is absolutely not true. Things were tough sometimes, we fought with each other, and some days there was simply a lot of screaming screaming screaming.

But in the end, the good times way outweigh the bad – and looking back I truly don’t remember as many “bad” as I remember good. And that’s how I felt in meeting the Troup family.

You know that deep down they aren’t perfect. In a family with 2 boys and 2 girls, there was bound to be some drama – some fighting – some name-calling – some temper-tantrums, but then again there was also bound to be much laughter – much friendships – much joking – and much love. And getting together with them to take some family photos, I have to admit, I felt so much of the “much” side and so little of the “some” side – they made me feel like I was right at home.

I have to admit: when they suggested we do photos in a library I was all at once completely excited and a little bit terrified. I have been [and worked] in some beautiful libraries! Libraries that are big and open and beautiful with lots of space and natural lighting! But I’ve also been in some really crazy libraries – ones that smell and are dark and small – so I was really crossing my fingers [and toes] that this was one of the latter. I couldn’t have been happier when I walked in to the Monroeton Library – BIG open spaces – BIG tall windows – it couldn’t have been more perfect for family photos! Especially for the head librarian – the queen of the family herself!!