A few weeks ago, I helped welcome Mary Lou into the world. This was my first birth session coming out of sabbatical. I was excited to get a text from Ty saying they were on their way to the hospital. Tori’s due date had come and gone and she was scheduled to get induced that day. A day before her due date, I came down with a bad flu and was horrified to think that I might miss this birth after waiting almost 7 months! Luckily, I got better just in time and was able to make it. I was unbelievably thankful to God, as he healed me just in time to do what I love – to document the birth arrival of new life. Mary Lou’s life.
This birth was particularly special because I got to witness Tori and Ty’s love for one another. There was no doula or a midwife present at this birth. I found out Ty is a high school football coach during our meeting and it didn’t take long before I understood why. He has this quiet strength that I admire in a man. He is warm and present. It was just them two, working side by side, together in harmony to bring Mary Lou into the world. Such a beautiful sight to see. There are few images that really stood out from this session and it embodies what they stand for.
There are not words for having such unfiltered, raw, intimate, powerful imagery as a reminder of the most important moment for new parents. That moment when a baby is born, you instantly feel only unconditional love. Nothing in this world can compare. At least that’s how I felt and I will always remember how grateful I was to experience the birth of my two sons. It was so incredibly empowering. Blissful. Restorative.
So it was my privilege and pleasure to be present and to document Mary Lou’s birthday. She arrived on February 20th at 3:57AM, weighing at 8 lbs., 10 oz., and at 20 inches of length. And it is with great pleasure that I share her story here.
Tori and Ty – THANK YOU again for hiring me to capture your journey to meet Mary Lou.
“But there’s a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because heres is where yours begin.”
Mitch Albom, For One More Day