Polaroid-worthy

                There are moments in life that are just „Polaroid worthy”. Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted an instant camera. And my marvelous parents made this dream come true few years ago. For my 22^nd birthday (I think, but honestly I can’t remember what I was doing last weekend, so let’s assume that I’m right), they gave me money so I can buy the camera. My mum, my pragmatical mummy told me, that she’d never buy it herself and well, she was kind of right – it’s an expensive toy, considering price of self-developing film. But I was (still am) absolutely in love with the idea.

We keep this love in a photograph.

               And it all started when one day I was going through old photo albums with my mum. I was actually looking for a picture of me and my family on a beach. It was “Gypsy night” at seaside town, where my grandparents used to live. That one time this festival was on a beach, there were bonfires, gypsy music, waves gently washing the shore, salty air, cold sand and all of us just being together. Still can’t find that picture (Granny, I hope you have it!), but when I do, I promise to show you.

But accidently I came across another picture – my 5/6(ish) year old brother hugging a man dressed as lion – you know, people who dress as animals or characters from movies, you pay for a picture and they (ideally) give it to charity? Well, imagine that when my brother was 5, digital cameras in Poland were… I’m not even sure if they WERE. So, he got a polaroid. With someone, who maybe wanted to be Mufasa (big stretch, I know). POLAROID! This photograph is so damn beautiful. Colors, composition… It’s a picture with soul and, sorry my big brother, but you are never getting it back.

                I know that I will never have a picture like that but… I still can have my own polaroids. And ever since I got the camera, I took plenty of pictures. But this is it – with this kind of photographs you must be really careful. Or do you? ?

My mum joked one time, that not everything is worthy being captured with instant camera. And you know what? As always, she was absolutely right. Nowadays, in digital era we can take as many pictures as we want. You don’t like the way you look on that group selfie? No problem, let’s take another one! Oh, someone walked into the frame when you tried to snap a shot of di Trevi fountain? No worries, let him walk away and click again. With instant pics it’s drastically different – you have one shot, unless you are willing to waste the film. 

We made these memories for ourselves.

                My very first polaroid picture… Nicolas, my cat. Shocker, right? He watched me unwrap the camera, and probably though that it was something he could play with. Priorities: cat first, parents later! No, but for real – I had to try it out. And he was sitting so still, looking so majestic – definitely polaroid-worthy moment. And looking back, I am so damn happy I took this picture. It was best possible choice, for first polaroid ever.

My first picture with dad is dope – he looks like a rock star; polaroid-worthy. My mummy? You can tell she looks perfect on every damn picture; she’s so polaroid-worthy.

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                Moments. A smile. Kiss on a cheek. New Year’s eve selfie with my godmum. Hours before Coldplay concert with Aggie. Looking like Mel-B with Kinga as Baby Spice for our carnival party at work, and practically covering Aggie with my Mel-B hair (side note, it took 3 hours to make that happen). My godson looking at me, instead on camera. My college friends wearing Iron Man’s and Hulk’s masks for my birthday. Youtubers-con with my friend, because we were going through that phase. Selfie with your older brother, even though he thinks it’s a stupid idea. Freshly decorated Christmas tree. Seashell search at Cuxhaven beach with my sweet cousin. Calm North sea on sunny day. We all have “the moments” that are worth being captured in that exact second.

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                I love how my generation brings back the things our parents had in their youth. For me it’s another way to connect with them – even if my mum thinks that this camera is for special occasions only, she loves the pictures as much as she loves the cute moments I find worthy.

P.S.

               You know, there is a sweet alternative for polaroids – mental pictures! Wicked idea you might think. Thanks, it’s from The Office (Niagara falls, one of the best Office episodes EVER!). Pam tells Jim that her aunt gave her the best pre-wedding advice – because everything goes by so fast, take mental pictures of the high points. Click! Aww, you blinked. Now that’s in my brain forever!

P.S. 2.

I messaged my grandma on WhatsApp. Guess what? She had the picture and gave it to me!