Relentless. {Birth} Greenville-Spartanburg Birth photographer

“What! Would I be turned back from doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right, by the airs and interference of such a person, or any person I may say? No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded. When I have made up my mind, I have made it.” 
― Jane Austen

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.  -Jeremiah 32:38

God is endlessly pursuing our hearts. We abandon him over and over; deny him, beat and crucify him and still, still he loves us. Still his arms embrace us, still he fills us with strength and love and offers everlasting life. He is relentless. 

I've said before that birth is a women's blessing, a holy communion with God. That this act of creation brings us so terribly, joyfully close to the body of Christ. To watch the relentless spirit of a women birth her baby, push through pain and exhaustion and fear, open and release a most wanted son is a such a reminder of His love. 

This Mama worked 4 long hours to birth sweet Charlie. We had thought things would move quickly after arriving at the hospital around midnight ready to push, but hours passed as the hard work of birthing began and moving Charlie down into an easy position took all the relentlessness this Mama had in her. Papa prayed and her doula supported her perfectly while her midwife was patience in letting her body ease Charlie out beautifully. I've spent much time with this beautiful couple over the past 4 months and feel so honored to have been chosen to be on their birth team. Charlie arrived on Labor Day at 4 am weighing 9 lbs and 9 oz. He won all of our hearts immediately!

Before I knew you I loved you. {NICU session} Sneak Peek

Some people think a miracle is only a miracle if it happens instantaneously, but miracles can grow slowly and patience and faith can compel things to happen that otherwise never would have come to pass. -Boyd K. Packer

Part of the blessing God has given me is to be witness to the beginning of life. Every birth I attend and document and offer support to overwhelms me with this miracle. But sometimes I happen upon another kind of miracle. Baby Elise is one of those. Born at 32 weeks and only 3 lbs and 12 ounces, her story was written long ago. As I sat and talked with her parents her Mama told me of how God had spoken to her, reminded her during the weeks of bed rest that she had seen Elise alive. And she had, she had been dreaming of her for years. Not out of want for a daughter, but actually dreaming of her. Of her life. There were many times most people thought she wouldn't be here (waters ruptured at 21 weeks) but her Mama knew, she knew God would provide. 

Each day this beautiful family must balance another young child at home and a demanding job for Dad, but they spends hours and evening and days rocking and pumping and growing this miracle. I pray this beautiful family will be reunited in a few weeks and enjoy this miracle at home.   

The Goat and the Dear. {Birth} Greenville Birth Photographer

"When you're a kid, they tell you it's all... grow up. Get a job. Get married. Get a house. Have a kid, and that's it. But the truth is, the world is so much stranger than that. It's so much darker. And so much madder. And so much better.” 
                 -Elton Pope

“In the afternoon, they stopped to eat on a rocky outcrop. Perry brushed a kiss on her cheek while she was chewing, and she learned that it was the loveliest thing to be kissed for no reason, even while chewing food. It brightened the woods, and the never sky, and everything.” 
                  -Veronica Rossi, Under a Never Sky

So this. This "job" I have, often leads me to couples I instantly know will be new friends, who it seems I've been waiting to meet, who truly radiate such genuineness, I'm immediately smitten. Birth is bonding and usually I have met with the couple, taken maternity pictures, texted and emailed before the "big day." I met these parents for the first time in their home on a steamy summer Wednesday evening. This Mama had been laboring for days and her doula called me to say things were moving along.  I was tired. This was my third birth in a little over a week and I was sort of dragging, but I grabbed some coffee for us and headed over. As soon as I walked in I felt energized. Perhaps it was just birth adrenaline or this Mama's brilliant artwork bursting color throughout, or maybe funny Luna, anxious and healing from her surgery who knew something was up and wanted to be in on the action. Whatever it was, it was now a birth story and I was documenting the hard work we mamas do to birth our babies.

Birth is so magical because it is so unpredictable. I suppose that what makes some people nervous, the not knowing. There are clues though and a good Dr/midwife can read them. This lucky couple had one such Dr. He also had patience. He knew what would and would not work, he let Mama and Daddy work together and he worked with them. They were also lucky to have  the wonderful Julie as doula. This Mama was in charge of her labor, she dealt with terrible back pain for days with humor and stamina and even a bit of dancing.

Baby Orion came quickly on the scene once pushing commenced and was no surprise to Mama, but Daddy was very surprised, his delight was infectious. He had been happy and sure of having a daughter and would have been just as excited, but the surprise of a son was so sweet to witness.

A few weeks later I was thrilled to photograph Mama and Orion's brand new breastfeeding relationship. The family pic at the end is one of my favorites. The look between these two says it all really.