Adria, her parents… very impressive

How many times have I heard “don’t judge a book by its cover” and in french “L’habit ne fait pas le moine” (the “outfit doesn’t make the monk”), you just never know, everyone has a story… I love the unexpected and this young couple sure did surprise me with their story.
When you think of it, most of my clients are complete strangers trusting me to take some very special pictures of their new baby. Anyone can get a bit of a background info on me by just visiting my “about” page on my website (titled “Moi”, a little wink to my french background), or scroll through my FB wall, but I generally don’t know much about the parents walking into my studio. Little details can be telling and I usually guess a little about their lives. In this case, a phone conversation prior to meeting them taught me Ashley, the new mom, had taken the time to get a manicure after giving birth, she was married, getting pictures of her baby with she and her husband was important to her, she sounded young and she was careful to choose a session that would fit their limited budget. I imagined a young couple maybe just starting their lives together, recently out of college, possibly both originally from here, a young carefully groomed new mom. The day of the session comes, and on my door step is a young couple, Gary doesn’t fit the image I had in mind: he looks more like a rapper with his cap and gold chain, but they are as sweet as she sounded lovely over the phone. I will spare you the behind the scenes pictures of Gary holding naked Adria in his arms when she released a giant yellow mess of several milk feedings on him. He certainly was a very good sport and Ashley had a very good laugh! Nothing in their appearance gave hints to their unusual story: Gary met Ashley when he was 13, back then they lived in Virginia. He was a friend of her brother’s, and knew the first time he saw her that she was THE one. He wasn’t shy about his intentions and he confidently told her family that eventually he would marry her. He said he had to chase her for 2 years before they finally started dating when they were 15. They both were emancipated adults when they were 17 and together with financial aids, small jobs, they put themselves through college to get an education. It was hard, at times they only had enough to share a dollar burger from McDonalds. They made it through together. Their next step was to decide where to live, they chose carefully and picked Pensacola on a google search. They packed their belongings in their car and arrived here with nothing more. They celebrated their eighth anniversary in Pensacola by getting married in 2015. They both have a nice secure job, they bought their first house and have enjoyed restoring it, making it theirs, they are so happy and proud to be parents, they are 24 years old, and have already lived through so much. As Ashley simply puts it: “You really learn to appreciate things when you have had to work hard for them. That is why we are so very thankful for the lives we live today, and now we are thankful to have Adria in our lives :)”
I found their story truly inspiring, full of courage, love and determination.

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1 Comment

  1. by Wesley shockley on January 18, 2017  10:45 am Reply

    Your story was inspiring... knowing Ashley n Gary since those days in Virginia I can confirm their story is true... many heartfelt conversations between us during their younger years confirmed 2 me that they would be together forever... just an old married couple, with children.... I'm amazed by your journey , and proud to call them both "friend"... even though we haven't seen each other in years, my love and friendship for them remains strong.... my heart overflows with joy seeing you hold ur gorgeous child in ur arms.... showing her all the love that you have for each other... CONGRATULATIONS... your new chapter to ur journey has begun... good luck, God's blessings, and all the happiness you can handle...... ENJOY, and hold on....

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