Melissa McCrotty Photography

I have been emailing back and forth with Shelly for awhile now, trying to come up with a date and time that would work for both of us. We finally found something, and arranged to meet. When they pulled up, and Shelly rolled her window down, I was pleasantly surprised to find a old basketball comrade! I hadn’t seen her in years, and of course, she is now married with a different name, but what a small world! Shelly played basketball for Scranton, and was quick as a cat, and just an all-around great player. She always gave us heck. But, that’s not what I remember the most about her. During, I believe it was, her junior or senior year, Shelly found out she had leg cancer. And what I remember most, is that through the treatments and therapy, she played. It was unreal. And, she played well. Limped a little, probably a little bit slower, but with every bit as much heart and hustle. It was inspiring, and I will never forget her determination to play through the pain.

Then, when I started college my freshman year at UAFS, Shelly was a familiar face on the basketball team. For awhile, we were teammates. When I decided to leave the team, and move back home mid-way through the year, Shelly was the one I remember coming to check on me, to make sure I was ok. It’s not really something I like to remember, or am very proud of, but it’s one thing I remember, when I think of Shelly. She was just a good person.

Now Shelly is married and has an adorable little guy named Kale. Kale wasn’t a big fan of sitting still, so we mostly just played around and tried to capture the family, spending time together. Here are a few of my favorites….

Flying was Kale’s favorite….

This was the one place we could put Kale where he wouldn’t run away!

Loved the toboggan…

When she turned three years old, Darci recieved a teddy bear for her birthday.  She didn’t really know who sent it, she just knew she loved it.  Darci also knew that she was adopted, and her father had mentioned the possibility that the bear could be from her biological family. But no one really knew for sure.  Regardless, wherever it came from, the teddy bear became Darci’s favorite.  It was just a little brown bear, with patchwork paws and ears, but he was her very favorite.

Somewhere else in the world, Tracy had lovingly wrapped and sent that little bear to the daughter she loved so incredibly much, the daughter she prayed for every night.  The daughter she allowed to be adopted by a wonderful and loving family. 

 

 

Fastforward about 16 year into the future.  Darci was all grown up, married and starting a family of her own.  Tracy has  six beautiful children and a loving husband, but had never, ever forgotten her firstborn.   Then something happened, and Tracy decided it was time to find the daughter she had lost, but never stopped loving.  One of Tracy’s closest friends (my cousin!) thought about Facebook, and managed to find Darci. 

It wasn’t so hard, after all.  It just took some time, and lots and lots of prayer.  A couple of years ago, Tracy and Darci were re-united.  Their story is so incredibly beautiful and moving, and I know nothing I can write will do it justice.  Darci lives in Texas with her (growing!) family, but visits often.  When Tracy emailed to ask if I could possibly arrange a mother-daughter session, I had to say yes.  I had to find a spot.  And so, I did, with one request.  I wanted to (attempt) to tell the story here, to go with the pictures.  Because there is always a story, and I truly believe the stories make the pictures better.   

There are days when inspiration is a little hard to come by.  When faith is lacking, and the well feels dry.  And, there are sessions like this, that feel like rain on a desert floor.  Turns out, I needed this session worse than Tracy and Darci.  I just didn’t know it.  Thanks for fitting me in, guys.  You blessed my soul.

From Portrait Sessions Fall 09

Throughout the session, Darci and Tracy took turns telling me bits and pieces of their story. I found myself misty-eyed, swallowing lumps in my throat several times during the session.

 

Darci is pregnant with her second child (and looks sooo great!) so we had a little mini-maternity session as well…..

Darci loves old cars and trucks, so we incorporated this antique truck into a lot of the session….

Then, Logan, one of Tracy’s other daughters joined us, with Tracy’s two grandchildren for just a few shots….

 

The bear now belongs to Layla, Darci’s little girl…

 

After the session, I recieved an email from Tracy, thanking me for the session.  This is how she ended the email - Rom 8:28 — “All things work together for good to them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.” — the verse I stood on during my lonely pregnancy with Darci.  I never dreamed God’s plan would come full-circle!!

Tracy and Darci, thank you both for sharing your amazing story and a bit of your day, with me!

If you know the Jacimore family, SHHHHHH!!! Kristyn and her brother and sister would like to surprise their mother with pictures for Christmas, but Kristyn also really wanted a sneak peak on the blog, so PLEASE, don’t spill the secret for these guys! Kristyn, Casey, and Rebecca were troopers! First, we had to reschedule our session because of rain. Then, on the actual day of our session, it was COLD! And, both Kristyn and Casey had evening obligations they had to get to just as soon as we had finished. So, they really wanted to do this for their mom, and I really hope she loves their pictures and is truly surprised

Here is a little sneak peek for Kristyn!

OK, so I don’t usually post two such similar pictures, but I loved these two of Rebecca so much, in color AND in b/w!

The Myrick family was our last family of the evening, and we were quickly losing our light. Luckily, these guys were completely easy going, and the kiddos were great! Adrena works at the pre-school at Pottsville, and must have some amazing kind of patience. When Wes and I have duty in the preschool room at Sunday School, at the end of the hour, we feel like we have been really done something. What kind of something, I can’t really say. But, we are always quite proud of ourselves for surviving! And that’s just ONE hour. Adrena does it ALL DAY LONG. I have a lot of respect for preschool teachers.

Here are a few of my favorites from the Myrick session….

Whew! Mini-sessions are fun, but they really take it out of us! The next mini-session will be in January, so if you are interested, send me an email!