I love to take photos. In fact, in college, I studied photography. And yet, there are so many moments I haven’t captured with my camera or my phone.

Because I choose to be in the moment, some of the best memories are the ones that aren’t stored on my phone- like all of the firsts my oldest daughter and I have had this year.

Now that she’s 8 and tall for her age, new activities have been unlocked for her.

She has been waiting almost two years to be old enough to take a boxing class. She had her birthday and I signed her up. In my head, I can picture her sweaty face, with the baby hairs stuck to her forehead. Her hair up in a ponytail and her red boxing gloves on. I can see her hitting the punching bag. Ducking down. Doing lunges and squats.

I don’t have a photo of it.

I did the class with her and couldn’t take one with boxing gloves on. I didn’t even remember to bring my phone that day, so I couldn’t have taken one anyway.

I don’t have any photos of the first birthday party we had at our house. Not a single one. But I have plenty of memories of that day that I can recall whenever I want. The neighbors’ twins blowing bubbles. The kids running around the yard. The men throwing stuff at the tree to get the inevitable toy out of it. A friend helping me get all the food out and onto the grill. My mom sitting there in her warm coat sharing a cupcake with my youngest daughter. My daughters huddled on the couch with their friends.

I don’t have any photos of the first time my oldest daughter and I did the zipline at the zoo either. But we talk about it. We remember what it was like to do it. I tell her how proud I am of her for being brave enough to run right off that platform on the zipline. How on the first leg she didn’t want to let go. What it felt like to go zipping through the air.

It’s so easy to get caught up documenting everything on our phones. But I think when we put the phone down is when we make the best memories. And when we talk about them we keep those memories alive.

About the Author: Rachel is a mother of 3 little girls and passionate about helping other moms find time to enjoy their kids by simplifying their lives. Find her at Justgettingthingsdone.com