It's still a good photo Scott - and that it makes you smile is great. So often photos mean something more to me as the photographer than to the viewer, because they remind me of the situation or people.
Having said that I have a growing collection of "missed" shots, either because I was a bit slow, wrong equipment, or what I saw just didn't translate into the photograph . Maybe it's learning but it is frustrating!
Thanks for sharing the image and the story - terrific images on your website too.
Best - Dan