Meet Makayla. She is Beauty Revived.
“A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear”
On a Tuesday morning, I opened my inbox and little did I know my heart was about to grow a little larger, because I was about to get to know a little piece of sunshine named Makayla.
High school senior, daughter, devoted friend.
To say that Makayla has a sea of devoted friends and family would be an understatement. This young lady has earned her devoted army of love.
Selfless, Compassionate, Intelligent, Giving, Joyful, A Sliver of Sunshine, Kind. Just a few of the words used to describe Makayla as nominations poured in to share how this young lady has been an inspiration to those in her life.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed”
A true friend. Makayla’s friends couldn’t gush enough about their love for her. They praised her kind heart. When some needs a friend, Makayla is first in line ready to support those in need. Another friend referred to her as “Makayla the encourager”. As captain of the volleyball team, fellow team mates said there was no better captain. She always believed in her team even when they didn’t believe in themselves. This past season she lead her team to regionals and rocked her senior season! She is noted as a “glass half full” kind of gal.. ALL THE TIME! Even when Makayla is having a bad day she will go out of her way to make someone else happy. Her smile comes as naturally as her ability to give to those around her. She looks for ways to open her heart, she loves to serve those around her. Her inside beauty is touching and shines a ray of light on everyone around her. Her friends have said when it comes to Makayla she knows no strangers and I have to agree, after 5 minutes with her I felt like I had known her forever and I knew she would always have a special place in my heart!
Loving Daughter. Makayla is a momma’s girl. The only daughter to Stacy. A loved and important and giving member in our hometown community. Wherever Stacy was helping, Makayla wasn’t far behind, helping her mom whenever she needed. In May of 2015, Stacy was called home and Makayla would soon rely on God for her strength to persevere and live a life her mom would want her to live. Makayla was her world and when Stacy passed away the Brandon community built an army of love around Makayla ensuring she would always feel loved. In turn, all the love Stacy had invested in those around her the community wanted to give back Makayla. And her friends and family have shared that they are proud of the young woman Makayla is becoming, compassionate and always looking for ways to take care of others, she genuinely builds community around her with selfless acts of kindness and her contagious never ending smiles. On our session I noticed Makayla was wearing a charm that looked like a thumb print. She told me it was her mother’s thumbprint and it really touched my heart and all I could think was, how symbolic the necklace really was. Her mother’s love print is not only a necklace around Makayla’s neck by a love print that lives on every day through the kindness and compassion Makayla lives out everyday in her life. Makayla lives with her grandma Wanda, who said Makayla is a reflection of her mother, always looking for the good in others.
Makayla told me one of her favorite songs is “The Girl You Think I Am” by Carrie Underwood. I’ve been listening to it on repeat as I sit here and pray I honor Makayla and Stacy as I share her with all of you. One verse has really resonated with me.
Cause you think I’m strong, and you think I’m fearless
Even when I’m, I’m at my weakest
You believe in me; yeah, you’re my biggest fan
So I wanna be the girl you think I am
I wanna be the girl you think I am
If there is one thing I am sure of it’s this.. Makayla, You are strong, you are fearless, you are loved and without a doubt..we are ALL your biggest fans!
Gianna Grace Photography 