Our best friends had a baby...that's the latest celebration for all of us but that's not where the story starts. Natalie and I met in August 2010 to chat about her wedding to Chris. I think coffee lasted almost 3 hours if memory serves me correctly. And thus, began our friendship together. They were clients first, but they never really felt like clients. We shot their engagements and then their wedding in April 2011. Throughout that time, even after the wedding, we cultivated this amazing, strong friendship, a friendship that you pray for. Natalie called one afternoon in mid August (while we were shopping at home depot) and asked if we would take her maternity pictures to which my response was, "WAIT, WHAT?!?" The newlyweds of only 4 months were expecting a baby!
We moved at the end of August, with heavy hearts, but were able to keeps in touch via skype and lots of visits in Louisiana & Texas. During our last visit with Chris & Natalie in March before Blake's arrival, they asked that we be the Godparents to Blake. And our answer was a resounding, "Yes!" What an honor to love this child as a Godmother and support his parents. During the same visit, Natalie and I looked at some birth photography (something that I was not at all familiar with) and decided that I would photograph the birth. Wow! I'm not going to lie, I was scared, but I knew I wanted to do this for them, for their family.
The day came for us to drive to Louisiana and I hadn't been sleeping in anticipation of Blake's arrival. I was emotional, expectant, hopeful. Chris and Natalie had a wonderful party at their home just before she checked into the hospital at midnight...I know what you're thinking but they aren't crazy! They just wanted to share the time with their friends. Joshua and I stayed at the hospital until 2am before returning to the Chateau (the Brooks' home). We were up early at the hospital around 9am along with Natalie & Chris' families. And we waited. Natalie, being the natural, incredible mom that she is, delivered Christopher Blake Adams, Jr. at 3:30pm with no drugs. He weighed 7lbs, 1oz and was 20 inches long. Most of all, he was beautiful. I will say that this experience has changed my life forever. Being able to see the miracle of child birth has given me more hope and perspective than I ever thought possible.
Their friendship and support means more to us than I could ever try to put into words. We are so thankful for them and for Blake. Happy 1st Anniversary! Please enjoy part of their journey through photos.
Please do not repost images!
Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 1:31PM 
