I've known Lindsay for about 8 years.
She was one of the few people who got to have the experience of being photographed in my first studio which was my very humble living room in the first house we bought in Sayre PA.
Lindsay has always, ALWAYS been generous, honest, and encouraging. She's always been a natural mother. From being incredibly active in the lives of her nieces and nephews to being a second mom to the babies of best friends, Lindsay has always been full of love, especially for children.
Early on in our friendship, I joked keeping my kids contained was absolutely exhausting. Lindsay said, a serious smile on her face, "I'll take them."
"What?" I asked as I laughed. "You do know that two of them are twin boys, right?"
"psh," she said as she waved me off. "I love kids. They're great. Seriously, if you ever need someone to watch them . . ."
And the years ticked by with Lindsay mothering and loving every kid or adult that needed it.
I knew she'd be an amazing mother.
I was right.
Even now thinking of my friend holding her firstborn son makes my eyes misty.
"It's unlike anything else," Lindsay said as we watched her son, Alexander, sit impressively well for a seven-month-old. "I thought I knew what it was gonna be like, ya know. I've taken care of babies for years. But having Alex is completely different. This love I feel is unlike anything else I've ever experienced. I can just watch him all the time and never get bored. He's my favorite form of entertainment. And I just love him."
Being a mother is soul-stretching. It's more than just the physical changes our bodies experience, though there is plenty of that. It's the expansion of love that couldn't grow any other way.
Lindsay and I talked about the demands motherhood has asked of her: sleepless nights, sickness, exhaustion beyond anything, anxiety, stress, and top it off with the challenge of having to relearn yourself . . . it is beyond hard.
If anyone else asked this of you with the expectation it would last for years, a sane person would say no and then go take a nap.
But make the request on behalf of your child, this perfect little miracle whose life depends completely on you every second of every day . . . absolutely.
Lindsay has shown up in this space of motherhood not missing a beat. She stepped into this role with grace and knowledge and so much excitement. Lindsay would be quick to interject that she's not perfect and has struggled plenty, she and Shaun, Alexander's incredibly chill and kind father, both have.
But that's part of what makes this all so special.
It is work.
It is the hardest thing that's asked of us.
But we choose it every single day.
We love it because we love our children.
That's what I saw when I photographed Lindsay, a woman changed by love.
My dear friend, you and this new family of yours have a place in my heart. You're devotion to one another, and your admirable struggle to be the best parents you can be is inspiring.
You show us that this pure love of motherhood makes us better than we were before.
You show all of us that we don't have to be perfect to be the best parents for our children.
We just have to show up with love.
Thank you, Lindsay!
Love,
Melinda
P.S. Are you interested in an incredible photoshoot experience all your own with Melinda? Whether it be a branding photoshoot, birthday photoshoot, mother and daughter pictures, headshots, or contemporary portraits and boudoir we will create something show-stopping that celebrates you!
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