Hassan + Danika
Often we meet people for the first time, over a coffee, during a meeting, perhaps an adult drink or meal and whilst you can begin as strangers, it’s not too long and you’re far from that, you become connected in whichever of the infinitely many forms, connection comes. That thought today made me think. Each day we go out into the world, with the magic of space between us, greater or smaller, intimate or platonic, we all dance upon this delicate aether and there, magic is occurring each and every moment. Humans passing by one another in busy city streets, too congested to notice the pull of a love never yet born. Alternatively two hearts connecting their souls against odds so great, you feel God mellifluously orchestrating such serendipitous miracles is the only logical and romantic reasoning.
You know, I like it here.
Mountains have crumbled yet in this moment I don’t quite feel free.
Hassan was in Lebanon when Danika and I first started discussing this couple shoot. That was prior to having that drink at The European across the road from Parliament House in Melbourne, where I lived over a decade ago, yet I had never been and so it goes, that melody upon the aether, ships passing in the night, stretched over a decade. What could have been? How would it have been had I chosen to stay in Melbourne? Would I be in love with you?
There in that restaurant I met Hassan and Danika in the late afternoon of a recent winter’s day. Sitting in a gentle yet resolute aesthetic, the waitress floated over, a disarming smile pinching her cheeks, poured me a beer whilst I waited. Hassan and Danika arrived and I felt something strange, akin to simple comfort I guess. Two strangers. Again; strangers but the way Hassan approached with his eyes warm and his stride proud, it was as disarming as the smile of the waitress. Danika, beautiful, elegant in her movement sat down first, Hassan careful she was comfortable.
I’m just falling.
What transpired over the next 4 hours of talking, laughing, photographing, having drinks, sharing stories, warm embraces and ephemeral goodbyes made me realise. This. This is living, in whatever way it is. The beautiful, the raw, the crushing, the uplifting, the down right fucked. This is living and peppered amongst it. Well there is so much good.
Did you know that the inflation rate in Lebanon slowed to a five month low of 251% in July of 2023. Australia’s eased to 4.9%. Let that sink in. Nothing right but i’m still feeling my way some way. We all are.
All this is to say, Hassan and Danika, you have a beautifully warm spot in my heart and I can not wait to see you both again soon.
You know, I like it here.
