a new love

On the tenth of February I had the privilege, honor and blessing of witnessing a baby being born. There have been only a few times in my life where my emotions have overcome me like they did that evening, and where God's presence in a room was so palpable. My dear, best friend Erin gave birth to a beautiful little boy, Brayden Timothy, and I am so proud of her.

After 22 hours of labor, I was set with the task of capturing the miracle on film--should it happen to come about. Erin had a c-section with her daughter and was attempting, against all odds, to pull off a vaginal birth. Each hour went by and the doctors came to check her, told her they would do everything they could but this just might not happen for her.

So we prayed. I don't remember the last time I prayed so hard. Literally until that final push we didn't know if he would be able to fit, hang onto his heartbeat as long as it might take, or if she would have the strength to finish. Knowing the intense, awe-inspiring moment I'd experienced with my own daughter's birth just two years before, I wanted that so badly for Erin and knew how honestly she yearned to push out her very own baby and hold him on her chest immediately, know his face, be the first to comfort his cry. When he came out, it was almost a shock to the whole room, you could hear the doctor, loved ones and nurses gasp and cry out with excitement that this had happened for the Stube family. Everyone stood and I lost my camera close-up moment, so I quickly ran back behind Erin's head in time to capture this long-awaited sight.

I thought I knew what to expect that day, but I was unprepared on all accounts. For the exhaustion of sitting and doing nothing but expending immeasurable amounts of emotional energy for my dear friend each time she moaned in pain. For the moment the baby emerged and the emotion that would pour out of my eyes in tears without warning. And I was unprepared for how proud of Erin I felt, how in awe at her perseverance after 22 long hours without food, without water and not without pain. How much closer I felt to her after witnessing such a miracle with her and seeing her true character. And for my unadulterated and humble gratitude to the Lord for saying 'yes' and granting such a gift to my friends--my family.

Erin, I love you and will cherish the memories of that day forever. You are such a strong and dedicated mother, your endurance unmatched, and I am so proud to know you. I knew and loved you before that day but am now overflowing with admiration and love and pride. I am having trouble putting into words my emotions surrounding those moments with you--I am so grateful to you for inviting me into that intimate room and sharing your life (and Brayden's) with me. I love you Stube's!