The Story of The “Love” Barn

For years, I've driven past this old barn on the way to Burke's Garden. Every trip, I'd think the same thing… "One day, I'm going to stop and take a photo of this amazing barn and LOVE barn quilt!”

There was always a reason to keep driving. We were headed somewhere. Traffic was behind me on the winding road. I didn't have a good camera. The light wasn't quite right, or it was raining. There never seemed to be enough time, or maybe there were just a lot of excuses on my part…but this trip was different.

With Bill and my nephew Robert along for the drive, the road was quiet, the sky was clear, and for the first time everything lined up. I finally said, "I've been driving past this barn for years. Today's the day we finally stop."

The weathered barn, the split-rail fence, and the Virginia LOVE quilt block have greeted travelers for years. I'd seen them countless times, but stopping changed everything. Instead of another landmark passing by the window, it was the moment for me to stop and take it all in.

Sometimes the best photographs aren't about discovering someplace new. They're about finally taking the time to see a place that's been waiting for you all along.