1001- Get to Know Cass

I’m Cassandra Dale — though I’ve been called Missy, CJ, and now mostly just “Cass.” I did 16 years of single mom life (never once asked for child support — I’ve got my reasons), survived a failed abusive relationship, and then somehow stumbled into my forever person. We’ve been married almost two years now. He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met… and also a total mic hog. Give that man a microphone and suddenly we’re in a one-man solo special. But hey, I can handle his attention-seeking if he can handle my “37 things at once, ooh shiny, wait — the dryer just buzzed” brain.

Between us, we’ve got six kids — ages 9 to 19 — and two granddaughters who just turned one. For their privacy, I’ll call them Bug and Monk. Bug is my Velcro baby — she’s had the same urgent, banshee scream since the day she was born. Monk is the opposite — chill, giggly, and has this raspy little cry that sounds like she’s narrating her needs and it's so sorrowful.

I’ve lived through some heavy stuff — childhood trauma, abuse as an adult, and even war. Those things could’ve made me bitter, but instead they made me look harder for beauty in dark places. That’s probably why I photograph the way I do — chasing the moments most people overlook.

So that’s me, in a nutshell. This blog is where I’ll tell the stories, show the mess, share the wins, and maybe inspire you to see your own life a little differently.