Every so often I get to be a part of something that moves me to tears.  For instance watching a soldier come home for leave and seeing him embrace his wife and children after far too long away.    The babies he left are now toddlers, able to run to him.  The little girls who anxiously awaited their father’s arrival with home made signs.  The passers-by who couldn’t look away and smile to themselves.   His beautiful wife, now pregnant with their fifth.  I got to watch as the long distance phone calls could at last become embraces.  Then I watched as this soldier became so overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment that his own eyes welled up.  But he is home and he is safe and sound.  Thank God.

It’s these moments that remind me of what is important in my own life and just how much each of these families sacrifice for us.  I am in awe of their strength and deeply honored to be a part of their lives.

Here’s a select few….

I’ve been a bit bad about blogging this past couple weeks. You’ll have to forgive me… It’s Santa’s fault, you see. Seems he needed a bit of extra help this year and his requests went to my spam folder by accident.

In an effort to keep up and honor my OpLove Families, I wanted to share with you a few images from a session I did last week. Admittedly I have a soft spot for kids but man… these kids… They do funky fun like no one’s business! Seriously cute kids and a wonderful family.

Many thanks to Kim, Emma, Hanna, Joshua and Caleb for the delicious candy and fabulous time! I really cannot wait until we all meet again… Yay! Homecomings!!!!

“Saying Goodbye….
Being apart….
It’s hard.”

About a year ago I volunteered to be a part of Operation: Love Reunited. Photographers from all over the country participate by offering services to families of deployed or deploying soldiers. It’s our little way of making the years and the miles just a little closer together.

Last weekend I met a family who made me both cry a little and laugh a lot. I cannot begin to tell you how touched I am by their story or by how they allowed me to be a part of it for a day.

A soldier, a husband and father of 4 said “goodbye” again last summer to his family as he went back to Iraq to serve for the NJ National Guard for another tour. He won’t see them until next summer. “Maybe June.” The oldest daughter is 21 and she’ll be shipping out to yet another war zone, herself, very soon. This is a tender time in this family’s life: A balancing act of humor, honor, good will and courage. They do it with such grace but they do not hide themselves behind pretense. This is tough times and they’ve each learned to get through it together.

The images are a selection from our session together. I feel truly blessed for getting to know them.

My favorite part will be when they come home though.