Nevaeh Tejchman, 4, second from right, couldn’t wait for her ballet recital. She was even more excited because her best friend, Lauren Padilla, 5, right, would be in it with her. The two became fast friends when they met at the Academie de Ballet in Chesapeake. Backstage before the show, the girls hugged and kidded around. After the performance, Nevaeh gave Lauren a gift – a purse that matched hers with a necklace inside that had “BFF” etched into it. “Best Friends Forever.”

Below are more images from the girls' first recital - and yes, they are in color... how could I resist?

This isn't what most would think of when hearing the word "graduation", but when learning the violin through the Suzuki Method, a student graduates after every level of achievement.

When 6-year-old Jered Manolas, of Kitty Hawk, N.C., mastered the first stages of learning the Suzuki method of violin, his achievement did not go unnoticed. In fact, a cake was ordered and a celebration planned. Known as a Twinkle graduation, the event called for Jered to perform in front of family and students before receiving his certificate. "The Twinkle graduation is a major milestone," said Jered's teacher, Suzanne Schreck of Chesapeake. "This is a very important event in Jered's life."

Watch and listen below to Jered perform for his Twinkle Graduation!

He missed Jeremiah’s first birthday. The first time he walked. The first time he talked. Two months ago, he even missed the birth of his other son, Scott. This was one “first” he wasn’t going to miss. Home on leave from Iraq, 1st Lt. Michael Wilson, of Surry County, was happy that his wife, Christy, had saved 20-month-old Jeremiah’s first haircut for Dad. “I waited about two months longer than I wanted – it was getting shaggy,” Christy said. “But it was important that Michael was there. It was one ‘first’ that we could control.” As the last snips of hair fell to the ground, Michael grinned: “Oh my goodness, he looks like a little boy now.”

Scroll down!

Don't miss the audio slideshow of one-year-old Barrett Shewbridge also getting his first haircut at Pigtails & Crewcuts in Virginia Beach.

As they entered Baker Hall at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the newly married couple was introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Mark Cockrell. Jennifer and Mark made their way to the dance floor and embraced. Ben Harper’s “Forever” started to play and they began to sway back and forth. “So give me your forever. Please your forever. Not a day less will do from you. From You.”

This week I have added just a couple more images from Mark and Jennifer's first dance at their wedding. Because of the nature of this topic I only had a few minutes (the length of the song) to capture the moment. I also had to be very aware of staying out of the way of the official wedding photographer, Heather Hughes, who graciously let me "crash" the wedding reception.

Buying a house can be daunting, especially for a novice. John Hence, 24, will attest to that. It took six months and several offers to land his first home. “We closed on contract number eight,” said Ardith Pugh, Hence’s realtor with Coldwell Banker. “Some of the contracts failed because of the home buyer’s inspection or because the sellers were unwilling to negotiate.” Petty Officer 2nd Class Hence, a Navy aviation ordnance man, persisted. He wanted a home for his wife and their three-year-old son, Christopher. On closing day, after picking up his son from day care, the two went right to their Norfolk home. Christopher bolted to the back door that leads into the yard. “He loves the swing set,” Hence said.

Don't forget to check out my previous post to read the story about Hali, Joey and baby Ellie Fiano that goes with this piece!

I would like to introduce you to Gabriele Jude Fiano. She is two weeks old today - I had the honor of meeting and photographing her when she was just hours old. Congratulations Hali and Joey!

Fawning eyes set on baby Ellie. Just hours ago, she was born Gabriele (Gab-ri-ellie) Jude Fiano to first-time parents Hali and Joey Fiano of Norfolk. Ellie came into the world on May 16 at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Wearing a cap knitted by her paternal great- grandmother and namesake, Ellie is cradled by her mom. “She is seriously cute,” Hali beams. Her first moments with her newborn feel surreal. “It’s just wild that this little body came out of me,” she says. “It hasn’t sunk in that I’m a mom.”

Ok, so I have to break tradition. I know it hasn't been a long tradition, but still... It's just that the dresses were so colorful! I'll be back to pure black and white this Friday when I finally share the First Child - so cute!

A girl’s first prom. One of high school’s most treasured moments. The dress. The shoes. The hair. Churchland High School junior Taylor Bradshaw, right, and her best friend, Alex Borick, had everything planned. At Taylor’s Portsmouth home, with their tresses coiffed, the girls rushed around the bathroom tending to the finishing touches. “You look so pretty,” Taylor’s little sister said admiringly. As for Taylor, she’ll never forget prom night. “I will always remember spending it with my friends, and everyone feeling so beautiful.”

Here's the extra feature I promised yesterday - check out the previous post to read Lisa's story.