I think it's safe to say I adore my job. I enjoy almost every aspect of it, and I honestly love every session and wedding I photograph. That being said…now and then, I get to photograph something completely unforgettable.
Jonathan + Melissa have been good friends of ours since my hubby and Jonathan worked together when we all lived in Newfoundland, from 2008-2011. They were two of the very first people we told when we found out we were pregnant with Nya, and they were two of the very first people to give us a "You're Pregnant!" card…complete with a joke from Jonathan that Nya was probably actually going to be a boy ;) Once we all moved to NB, I had the pleasure of photographing their beautiful wedding in Fredericton, and then just last month I captured what I think are the most gorgeous shots of the two of them a few weeks before Melissa was due (ps…this girl was like some sort of pregnant-supermodel. Seriously).
Fast-forward to September 8th, 3:30am. I woke up to a text message from Melissa, saying she was having regular contractions, and they were admitted to the hospital around midnight. I was immediately wide awake, nursed my Littlest One so he wouldn't be a total monster when Husband got up from him a few hours later, grabbed my camera gear which was all packed right next to the bed, and left Moncton a couple minutes before 4am.
SIDEBAR: Always wear a jacket when leaving the house at 4am in September. Because you will probably be really cold.
Once I arrived at the hospital in Saint John (which, I might add, I found on my very first try, all by myself! With maybe just a LITTLE help from google maps…) I got to spend a couple hours with Jonathan and Melissa while she worked through her contractions. It was still the "wee hours" of the morning, so it was such a calm + quiet time. Melissa was such a trooper, and was so collected and controlled. After two births of my own, I found it so amazing to experience a birth from the "other end of things"!
Melissa: You are amazing. I am so proud of you…you did SO incredible, and I'm so completely honoured I was able to be with you and Jonathan as you brought your sweet Jayda into the world. Thank you for that privilege…and thanks for making such an adorable baby :) Love you three!!! xoxo
So Baby J would know her family name as soon as she was born ;)
Welcome to the world, sweetest Baby Jayda. xoxo