The Fairweather Family.

For as long as I can remember, I've always thought it would be better to be known as smart, rather than beautiful. In more recent years, I can say that I feel the same about creativity and compassion. Cultivate the brain and the heart, and beauty will inevitably shine. But every once in a while, you come across a person who is all of those things (even outwardly beautiful), and makes it seem effortless.

Lindsey is one of those people. 

Our paths first crossed in middle school.  One of my boldest memories with her is when our drama club went to a local elementary school to perform our skits.  I was nervous to play my part in, "Pet Shop Window", as a picketing protestor.  My only lines were repeating, "FREE THE PUPPIES, FREE THE KITTIES!" over and over... and I was nervous!  Lindsey on the other hand was a seemingly well polished professional, even at 12.  She put on a solo rendition of, "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun!", from Annie Get Your Gun (would teachers even allow that today?).  She had gusto, and confidence, and that was just the start of my experiences with her.

In high school, she had a lot to offer, and people took note.  Not only was she congenial, but also mastered advanced placement classes.  Plus, with that package of brains and beauty, she caught the eyes of many guys in our class.  She was like a brunette Reese Witherspoon. Guys were attracted to her and girls wanted to be her friend.  Except unlike the fictional beauty that got into Harvard ("what? like it's hard?!"), the real life beauty with brains opted to attend a different Ivy League school, Yale, and left nobody that surprised.

"So how did you make it over to London?", I asked Lindsey between shots of her relatively new family of 3.  "I always wanted to study abroad, but I just couldn't get myself to do it.  I enjoyed college too much", she said.  So instead, she opted to jump on the opportunity to teach abroad for a school year, post graduation, to get her fill.  10 days after the move over the pond, Lindsey caught the eye of an Englishman.  He quickly won her over with his witty humor and (I'm guessing) accent (I mean let's be honest.  What woman doesn't love a good accent?!).

Years down the road, I'm not surprised she married a smart diplomat with the last name "Fairweather"... it's just too perfect.  And 6 weeks before I had the opportunity to meet up with them back in Farmington, their family grew by means of a dashing young baby.  A baby who went past his due date to have the same birthday as his favorite photographer (ahem... favorite, right guys?!), May 23!  Here are a few of my favorites.

Even without being happy the whole time, little Walter still managed to be awfully cute!

A personal favorite. That face!

It's always one of my favorite things to see new parents be gentle, and loving their tiny babies.  This time was no exception.  There's just something about a fathers love, and a mothers nurturing, that never gets old.





We had a sneaky little helper-cousin along with us as well.

This is when we "lost" him.

Thankfully he came back for a picture with his cousin!  Look how cute these boys are!

Family is such a special thing. 

There were so many special moments that day.   Little glimpses into a loving family.   Here are a few more since that I couldn't wrap this post up without sharing.

Thank you so much for letting me get some pictures of your sweet family! It was such a joy!

Little Jacob

It was a typical summer day in July.  It had been hot since morning, but quite frankly, the weather couldn't make up its mind.  The day was a constant battle between ominous clouds and strong sunshine.  As I drove to meet the Garavaglia family at Heritage park, my eyes did a continual shift from road, to sky.  Road, to sky.  Road, to sky.


But when I got to the park, I found nothing but sunshine.

He has the happiest of smiles.

The first time I met sweet Jacob, his mom and dad were pulling a striped onesie over his perfectly round head.  When his face popped out the other side, he greeted me with the biggest, gummy smile I've ever seen.  It was as if he was saying, "I'm so glad to see you!".  I knew from that moment, we were going to work perfectly well together.

"The past 6 months have flown by!", agreed Jacob's parents, Adrienne and Dan.  "He's growing so fast!", Adrienne continued on, as they spoke of how much they've enjoyed the last half year.  Jacob had turned 6 months old a few days before the shoot, and the two had asked if I'd document the milestone for them.  Needless to say, I was happy to.

I've known Adrienne and Dan since high school.  I've always been a sucker for a good love story, and anytime you throw "high school sweethearts" into the equation, you're bound for a good outcome.  And that's exactly how their story started.  Since then, they've not only continued to love each other, but gone on to start a family together.  Starring this little blue-eyed cutie.

Remember that big smile I was raving about?  I think he gets it equal parts from his mom and dad.

It was such a joy to reconnect with old friends.  A lot has happened since the days Adrienne and I cheered together in high school.  In most ways, like the marriage of a couple sweethearts, and the growth of their family together, the changes have made lots of room for celebration.  I hope to continue to follow up with them in the future.  This sweet face isn't one I want to be away from for long :)

Baby Schattner

I can't recall the first time I met Sarah and Jeff.  Honestly, it feels like they've always been a steady part of life since college.  You see, Jeff is best friends with David from the last post.  They met in college when fate brought them together as University of Michigan freshman, rooming blind.  Because of David's friendship with Sarah's roommate, it didn't take long for a love connection to spark between Sarah and Jeff.  They dated in college, were engaged and married the years after, and we all know what comes after love, and marriage... that's right, these two are awaiting the arrival of a baby for their baby carriage.  Or rather, a fashionable, yet safe stroller. ;)

Sarah is smart and beautiful.  Jeff is one of the hardest workers I know, yet doesn't let that hinder his laid back attitude.  Together, they make a strong, yet relaxed couple, that's easily admired by others.

The first time I got to spend significant time with them was over the 4th of July weekend in 2010.  David and Deepa had invited some of their closest friends out to Cape Cod to celebrate America's birthday, in a truly American way.  With BBQ, beaches, lobster, good wine, and bonfires.  That 4th of July will go down as one of my favorites.  Saying, "Happy Birthday, America!" with fireworks down the ocean's coast, was great for the patriotic loving side of me that insists on waving flags and wearing red, white and blue on that day every year.  But honestly, the best part of it was spending time with quality people, that up until then, I didn't really know well.  We discussed books on the beach, rose our glasses to cheers around dinner tables, and simultaneously covered our mouths to muffle laughter as we watched the resort owner drive a tractor down the beach to dig us a hole for a bonfire.  I have been really blessed to meet so many great people in my lifetime, and there is no question that Sarah and Jeff fall rightfully into that category.  And come next month, they'll transition into another great category... great parents. 

When I found out that Sarah and Jeff were expecting, and due a few short weeks after David and Deepa, I smiled.  There are so many things you can daydream about with your best friends.  Falling in love, getting married, moving to the same city, starting families at the same time... And with these four, they've done it all.  The icing on the cake is that Sarah and Jeff are expecting a little girl. The perfect start for more daydreams.  It just seems too perfect, paired with the little boy David and Deepa are expecting any day now... no pressure, kiddos ;)

It's such a privilege to get to document this special time in friends lives.  Sarah and Jeff will welcome a baby girl sometime next month, and they could not be more ready and excited for her sweet arrival. 

Baby Pinkney

I remember very clearly when Deepa told me she was expecting.  She called, and asked if I could get on video chat to give my opinion on which dress she should wear to one of David's banquets.  This wasn't out of the ordinary, as for years, we regularly chatted this way when she lived 700 miles away in Boston.  Distance never held much power over fashion advice amongst friends.


You see, forever, I will hold claim to the fact that I was Deepa's first friend in the US.  And as a result of that, she is also one of my oldest.  She came to my first grade class, not speaking a word of English.  And by the end of that year, the two of us were getting in trouble during sleepovers for talking when we were supposed to be sleeping.  It is a friendship that started out as a sprint, but has turned into a marathon-- seeing as we're already past the 23 year mark, and still holding strong. 


When I connected on g-chat that night with "Deepa Pinkney", David's face popped up on the computer.  "Where's Deepa?", I asked.  "She's putting on the first dress", he replied.  And with that, he turned the computer, and around the corner walked Deepa.  Dress on, but a pillow shoved under it.  Now if there's one thing I can say about Deepa, it's that, THAT woman is funny.  She makes me laugh more than just about anyone, and when she exclaimed, "guess what?! I'm PREGNANT!!!", my initial response was a very flat, "No, you're not.  Let me see the dress." -- I thought she was attempting to play a joke, seeing as 2 of our best friends were also pregnant at the time. -- It wasn't until after a 2 minute conversation filled with me repeating, "no your not" and "stop joking", and her assuring back multiple times, "no, I swear I am", that I believed her.  She was going to be a mama.  

It wasn't an easy start to the pregnancy for her.  She had multiple medical issues that involved a lot of pain for her, and trips to the doctor.  She was a trooper that whole first trimester though.  Already showing her love for that baby.  It would all be worth it.  She had a son on the way, and she already loved him with a fierce love.  As the pregnancy progressed, things got easier, and she only grew more beautiful.

Remember when I told you about how funny she is?

With less than a month left until her due date, I had the chance to snap a few shots of David and Deepa.  It's always special to see your best friends to go on and become mama's.  But with this one, it holds a unique bit of special.  Deepa and I have been having conversations on issues that are important to us since we were 6 years old.  Mostly joining in laughter, sometimes in tears, but always there to support one another.  Heck, we were even friends when a language barrier stood between us.  6 year olds are pretty amazing in that way.  The months between that initial reveal she was expecting, and today, have opened a whole new chapter of our long-standing friendship.  The whole time reminding me that along with some of life's biggest changes, some things stay the same.  Conversations continue to be had filled with laughter, some tears, and of course, support. 

Stunning.

If there's one thing I am certain of when it comes to baby Pinkney, it's that I know he's going to know how to be a good friend.  His mom and his dad are a couple of the best around, and that little guy is going to have the very best examples to learn from.  I'm already thankful for the lives he will effect.  Because for good friendships, it takes one to know one.  And his parents will show him how to do it right.  

Baby Pinkney is due to be here sometimes around July 19! And I can't wait to see how one of my favorite couples, turns into one of my favorite families!