Welcome Home: Chicago Adoption Photographer
Original post written June 2018 (To see original images and post head over HERE. )
**You’re really going to want to go to the original post to see all the photos!
Two years ago this coming August
I was asked to photograph
what turns out to be one of my
VERY favorite photo sessions.
EVER.
I never fully blogged this story
because,
well,
every time I'd start to write,
I'd cry.
And then not know which of the
umpteen photos to include in the post.
I got stuck in the overwhelming
beauty of their story,
unable to write.
This post has been on my ' to do ' list for
almost two years.
I proudly hail as a procrastinator.
And so I'd tuck away my thoughts
until my heart was ready
to put pen to paper.
Today,
my heart is ready.
An adoption arrival session.
SLAY.ME.NOW.DREAM.JOB.
The session was to take place at O'Hare International Terminal 5,
to capture the arrival of little Roshani
as her brothers met her for the very first time.
Closest family members and dearest friends arrived unbelievably early,
waiting for little Ro and her mommy and daddy to land in Chicago.
None of us were missin' this moment.
I promise you that!
We'd been following along the journey
from our living room sofas,
as Kristin and Eric flew to India
to bring home their daughter.
With great anticipation,
we checked our email accounts ridiculous times a day,
hoping and waiting
for each new video that Eric
would upload from India.
And then,
we saw her for the very first time
as the orphanage worker placed her in Kristin's arms.
Are you kidding me?
I'm not gonna speak for everyone else,
but I pretty much wept through every video.
And what I mean by every video is, well,
EVERY VIDEO.
And so on this late August morning,
Terminal 5 became our headquarters
as phones, cameras and hearts were ready.
Boy howdy,
was THIS going to be a well documented
chapter in her story or what?
The anticipation was palpable,
kids jockeying for a direct sight line
to be the first to see her beautiful face.
There was something SO moving and SO magical about
being a fly on the wall as this arrival scene unfolded.
And then
— just like that —
the doors opened and there she was.
Brothers took off like lightning bolts,
running into their parents' arms,
eyes glued on their baby sister.
A holy,
sacred moment.
It felt like a little glimpse
of what heaven will be like some day.
Welcome home, dear child.
Welcome home.
And throughout most of the rest of these photos,
I want you to look for big brothers' hands.
They're reaching for their sister.
They're tenderly touching their sister.
They're lovingly welcoming her home.
And in case you were wondering,
it's really really difficult to take photos while crying.
Each big brother beautifully took in his new reality,
and what a joy it was to see their personalities unfold
in this airport chapter of their family's story.
Milo, the oldest,
most often took it in from a couple feet back,
soaking it up,
every so often going in for a snuggle or tender touch.
Beaming with an inner pride and strength,
ready to be in the safety of home
to truly explore what it means to be a family of five.
Leo.
As close as possible without smothering.
A hand on her at almost all times.
An external pride,
willing to shout it from the rooftops that his sister was home.
Both equally beautiful,
just fascinating to watch.
One of the many joys of my job.
See the hand?
I love this image SO much.
I wasn't the only one cryin'!
A family of five and a cousin, too!
I wonder if Roshani can relate
to some of these words
from Oliver,
which her biggest brother
Milo sang so beautifully
as he played Oliver in a recent professional production
of that show.
Where is love?
Does it fall from skies above?
Is it underneath the willow tree
That I've been dreaming of?
Where is she?
Who I close my eyes to see?
Will I ever know the sweet "hello"
That's meant for only me?
Who can say where she may hide?
Must I travel far and wide?
'Til I am beside the someone who
I can mean something to ...
Where...?
Where is love?I'd say Roshani has found the
love of a mommy, a daddy,
two big brothers,
grandparents,
aunts, uncles,
cousins
and a whole host of friends.
You are an answer to our prayers, dear child.
Welcome home, Roshani.
Welcome home.
