Capturing (and Gifting) the Moment
When we receive life-changing news that is surprising and delightful, the reactions we have in those moments are my favorite - so authentic, special and memorable. So when I was unable to attend my best friend Sammie's gender reveal party in person, I set out to find a way to document my reaction just as if I were there.
I was heartbroken that I couldn't make it up to Northern California for the reveal, but Sammie's husband Ryan set up a Facetime call so I could watch as it all took place. Ryan's sister Stacey (the one who got married at our Farmhouse last year!) lives near me, so I invited her over so we could share in the joy of the experience together, even though we were far away.
With the computer set up in front of us on the couch, I asked my husband Johnny to take a few quick snaps as we watched Sammie and Ryan release balloons from a box. The result was just as raw, real and emotionally authentic as I hoped it would be.
It's... a GIRL!
I framed the photos as a gift for Sammie's baby shower, and the collage now has a place on the photo wall of her beautiful home (click to see its blog feature from when it first went up!) It's an installation that continually changes over the years as her life unfolds, and I have loved watching it evolve. Her baby girl is now eight months old and as sweet as can be, and I hope one day she enjoys looking back at the bursts of joy on her real auntie and adopted auntie's faces as we found out just who she would be.
