Melly and I became friends in a most peculiar and God-ordained way. I will admit, it felt more like a death sentence at the time (she would admit too) but we came out with a truly amazing friendship. Death sentence, you ask? Geez. Sounds dramatic. Let me explain. It was grad school and I had just started my first semester in the Arizona State University Social Work program. Classes, homework, a commute to downtown is one thing… but internship placement is another. Internship placement can make or break your year, your career and your friendships, apparently. I was given a small say in the field in which I would prefer to work and my teeny, tiny, humble request was that I would work with women. Women’s issues, women’s health… something I wanted to pursue. I was currently working at Remuda Ranch Treatment Center for Eating Disorders and loved everything about it. Inasmuch as I preferred to pursue a career in the social work realm of helping women, I was placed at another treatment center in Phoenix called New Arizona Family, Incorporated—inpatient treatment for drug-addicted and pregnant women. Now if that isn’t a combination that sounds like a death sentence…. I rest my case. It was a disaster. The one redeeming quality was that Melly was also placed there… my known counterpart for the remainder of the year. I was forced to cling to her for my sanity and laughter… then I just fell in love with who has become one of the most influential voices of truth, friendship and encouragement in my life. She has been patient with me and has walked me through (not only New Arizona Family) but many other life milestones. For that, I am forever grateful for our bond.
She is now a body image therapist at Remuda Ranch Treatment Center and loves her photography on the side. Check out her fresh look on imaging at her website: http://lulliloophotography.blogspot.com
Andy, Melly’s husband, is in a band called The Other 49 and also owns his own amazing sound engineering company called Epic Audio Collective. 
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