About thirteen months ago my entire life changed.
For sake of not sounding dramatic, let me clarify: my entire life’s priorities changed. My sleep changed. My body, heart, mind, and perspective changed. My faith grew- along with my doubts at times. About thirteen months ago I had a baby.
Moments after meeting Caleb James Keilman.
Although Brandon and I weren’t quite confident in the timing of it all in the beginning, the good Lord knew what he was doing because I’m convinced Caleb coming into our lives came at the perfect time for our family. In this particular season I was among many friends at work and at church who were also walking through the process of having their babies and I found myself surrounded by a village of support along the way.
I’m positive there were moments early on where I texted approximately 15 different women daily, asking questions about bottles, breastfeeding, and ‘how do I get my baby to sleep through the night?!” Honestly I tried to rotate my questions so I wouldn’t annoy the same poor women every day. Ladies- you know who you are. Thank you to the new moms for learning along with me, and to the veteran momma’s who gave me confidence and compassion with every text I sent.
Somewhere between the sleepless nights and baby snuggles my heart grew for every mom out there. I prayed often for single moms. I thought a lot about my mom and how much courage it must have taken to raise 4 children in a day without the internet. I thought about women who have lost babies, who have struggled with infertility and now have their own sweet little ones, and women who have grown children - and how much wisdom they must have from all the years of life in the trenches.
Sometime around last November, I even had the opportunity to begin taking photos of mothers with their children! A dream in itself I never knew I would see come to life. This journey in photography has blessed me greatly. It’s introduced a joy in my life for which I am very grateful.
Then, a few months out from [most of] the sleepless nights, my heart grew for all women. Single women. Young women. Grandmothers. And adult women who have a mother’s heart but haven’t had the opportunity of having their own children.
I wanted to find a way to connect my passion for mothers, photography, and women in general. How could I create a support system for women- some mothers and some not yet- like I was blessed to have in my time of need?
Over the past several months I’ve reached out to a several incredible women. Women I admire and am encouraged by often. My plan is to share their stories of adoption, infertility, loss, and hope to speak to anyone who may be in a place where these words can bring life in the season they find themselves in.
Some of my best days on earth have happened this past year. Joy that overwhelms the soul and brings tears to my eyes has filled these last 13 months, but running parallel with that joy has been moments of fear, doubt, and just flat out tough moments where I feel as if I’m not enough. I hope to be able to meet you in whatever season you find yourself in with this project. Even if one woman is encouraged by these stories shared in vulnerability and love, I will consider that a victory.
What’s to come is a bit of my soul for you, in writing, through others. The first post will be live in the beginning of October. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
