There is a special bond when you are in the military. An understanding and camaraderie that is hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. It’s not just that our spouses are constantly on the move, removed and shuffled in and out of our lives like the decks in a Las Vegas casino. Never mind their jobs also put their lives on the line so you are not only battling for “normal” family life but constantly having to check your heart to see if it is in an anxious state of worry.
Add to this the lifestyle of a vagabond: constantly moving, uprooting and adventuring to wherever the Air Force decides to send us and you have a vague idea of my “normal”.
It is one crazy life and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Now, catch me after we get new orders to…Oh, I dunno…the middle of nowhere and I may respond with a statement quite opposite of this (I may have shed some tears and pitched a fit for a few weeks). But it never fails that wherever and whenever we move, the special bonds of military spouses seems to be a constant comfort.
Janelle was one such bond and I cannot tell you how precious this girl is to my heart.
My first impressions left me thinking Janelle was just soft and gentle but after a few coffee dates I quickly came to love the strength and feistiness that runs so vibrantly through her veins. She’s the type of friend who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it and probably ask if you wanted it ironed. Our friendship bloomed with ridiculous late night snap chats and daily gym work outs. It was clear from the beginning though that her depth and caring spirit were just what my sad heart needed to help this new place feel like home.
When she asked if I would capture this special life growing season of theirs I couldn’t have been happier.
Meet Janelle, Brandon and baby Payson.
They are are one fun loving family and if you can’t tell by the pictures that baby Payson was born to two parents who love each other and him in abundance then you might want to get your eye-sight looked at.
P.S. Baby Payson was born and he is as adorable as his parents. (Maybe even a little more but don’t tell them I said that ;p).
Such beautiful photos! I remember being totally in love with each if these photos when Janelle posted them on her Facebook page.
You certainly did an amazing job capturing one of the most beautiful and incredible women I have ever known.
Thank you Michelle and Anna. Such sweet words! Thankful for such a sweet friend and awesome photographer that captured our excitement for this sweet baby boy!!