One of our favorite things about meeting with clients during our photography sessions is getting the opportunity to hear their stories! Everyone has a unique and fascinating story and we are honored to be able to hear them and walk for a little bit in their shoes. The amazing thing is, no matter what a person’s background or story, we can almost always find similarities and shared experiences that show us just how alike we all really are. The Orest family’s session with us was no different and struck a familiar chord.
For several years during my childhood, my parents graciously became foster parents to a handful of precious kids. Even in my young age, there were three in particular who meant a lot to me and who left a lasting impression on my life. We cared for Kaitlyn, Jacob, and Breanna throughout a period of almost 3 years. They lived with us, went to church with us, vacationed with us, and truly became a part of our family. My parents were mom and dad to them just like they were mom and dad to me. My sister and I were sisters to them. Through the hand of God, we helped them as best we could and watched in amazement as they overcame limits that doctors and specialists had put on them.
If you’re wondering, “did you guys adopt” or “why didn’t you adopt them” the answer is, we tried. We tried hard. And there were a lot of tears when the new sister I felt like I had ended up being adopted by family members of hers. If you’re not familiar with the foster care system, that’s how it works. Blood family members have the right to be notified if their relative is going to be adopted and, if they choose to, they can step in and take the kids into their home before any adoption of a foster parent is finalized.
It was that experience in my life that has given me so much respect for the couples and families who adopt! Couples like Zarie and Igor who we had the honor to photograph. They had yet to have any children of their own and decided to look at adopting. After the LONG process of adoption – the ups and downs and waiting and waiting – they became parents to two BEAUTIFUL children.
Benjamin and Jelena are both from Uganda but were not born as brother and sister. Not only did they gain such loving parents through Zarie and Igor’s adoption, but they now have the joy of having and growing up as siblings! They are some of the sweetest, most loving kids. It was so fulfilling for Jon and I to watch them play and laugh and just really soak up life during our session together. Benjamin chased crickets through the grass while Jelena styled in front of the camera loving every minute of it. She became my new little friend and even told me that ‘pictures are fun and I want to take more again!’ Zarie and Igor’s love for each other and for their kids is glaringly obvious to anyone they encounter and you can see the pure joy in this beautiful family’s eyes.
Adoption is such a neat gift and it’s what has brought this awesome family of four together. I can only imagine that it’s not easy all of the time. There are growing pains and bumpy roads but love never fails and God’s gift of family is a huge blessing. Their joy comes from the Lord and from the love they have for each other.
Zarie and Igor, you guys are amazing parents and it was so fun for us to get to spend time taking your family photos and feeling a part of the family.
Comments +