All my family sessions are special but this one I’ve longed and prayed for.

A year ago I photographed these longtime friends on this same beach. A little over a month later they received the hardest news any parent could imagine – advanced brain cancer. Alongside their enormous community, we’ve prayed fervently through treatment side effects, exhaustion, infections and a stem cell replacement that God would cure Jonah and carry his family. A little over a month ago he completed his year of treatments and these friends were able to join us for our annual beach vacation with friends. In a way our Avalon trip bookended the hardest imaginable year.

As I looked ahead to their family session I wondered what hurdles we’d face. As a trained physical therapist, I was prepared for any mobility challenge – I didn’t plan on biting flies. I wanted their session to be the best EVER! I wanted tender moments, a celebration of life – and don’t they deserve a carefree photo session?!!! The evening held something else so we all came away just a little disheartened. But you know what? God showed up! As I watched their photos upload back in Boston, my eyes welled tears realizing again that it’s never about me or my might – what you see here is His might on display. God’s strength in their laughter, His grace in their silliness, His binding love in their tender connections.

As I type this my heart is burdened by what’s next for this family. Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28th Jonah has a scan that will determine the effect of treatment and next steps. As we hold our breath and lift so many prayers, I look in the eyes of this courageous family and know God has brought them this far and will never abandon them.