Meghan has been a close friend since college. In our years of growing up together we’ve been lucky enough to watch one another graduate, get married, buy homes, find our footing in our careers, and best of all- journey into parenthood less than a year apart. I can’t count the amount of times we’ve been there to support one another in so many of those life changes, or how many times I’ve gone through something and looked over to see Meg right there. So naturally, as Hadley’s first birthday fast approached, it was both a a privilege and a given that I’d be here to document it.
Since I already know Meghan and her family, I had an understanding of her vision. Meghan has a very clean and classic style, and when you walk into her dining room she has a wall of beautiful family photos displayed of different stages and milestones of their lives. As we planned their outfits, I reminded her to think about that wall, or anywhere else she planned to hang her photos. That way, when she sent her final outfit options, it was easy for the two if us to visualize how the colors would look together and in their home. She wanted these to be timeless family photos.
I also asked her to think about how she wanted these photos to make her feel 10 years from now. She wanted to feel the love, the comfort and the coziness of this stage of life. Most importantly, she wanted to remember all of little Hadley’s sweet baby features.
As we headed into her session, I remembered those answers. I wanted to be sure that when they opened their gallery they felt an overwhelming sense of love and comfort. In between normal poses, I would ask Meghan and Alex to reflect on the past year together. All of the growth and learning they had experienced, and the little moments that made them feel so lucky to be where they are in life. There were a few times that even I would tear up just watching them interact. I knew that these photos would be kept in their family long after Hadley has grown out of this stage, and some day Meghan and Alex are going to sit down, open these up and reminisce on these precious days.
The Meghan I knew in college was a natural caretaker. We often joked that she was the mom of our apartment. She was always checking in on us to see how class was going or to make sure we made it back home if the group split early. She kept track of the chore chart, was always willing to drive us to the grocery store, and was ready with a bowl of homemade popcorn whenever you needed it most. Her love for all of us girls has continued to grow over the years, and she’s always made us feel so cared for and special.
This Meghan that I know now, has evolved to be even more incredible. She’s taken all of those amazing qualities and amplified them. This past year I’ve watched her in complete admiration as she proudly took on the role of mom to someone even more deserving than us college girls, sweet Hadley. I’ve watched her make sacrifices, experience emotions she never thought possible, and grow in more ways than one. While doing all of those things, she still managed to host a few brunches, join us for wine nights, and show up for each of us when we needed her most.
Meghan is the glue that keeps us all together. If you’re lucky enough to be loved by her you know exactly what I mean. Hadley, you truly have the best momma and I am so excited that she’s welcomed me and all your other “aunties” into your life. Here’s to all the years, the babies, and the moments still to come.
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