Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 | Finnley's Story
"Family is not defined by our genes, it is built and maintained through love."
-Amalia G., Independent Adoption Center
Yesterday was an incredibly emotional day for me. I had the incredible honor of photographing a very special Fresh 48. I'll give you a little bit of a back story!
Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Finnley Thomas
I am a part of a Mom's group on Facebook, and a few months ago, a woman made a post in the group about how after three YEARS of waiting, she and her husband had been matched with a an AMAZING birth Mom for an Open Adoption. *They were FINALLY getting their little one!* (But what they ended up getting was SO much more than that!) Anyway, it just struck a chord in my heart. I choked up a little bit just reading her post about how excited she was. I thought about contacting her to see if she may be interested in a Fresh 48 session, but I didn't want to sound like a weirdo! Haha!! It was one of those moments in life where you think to yourself, "should I reach out..? No..? Too forward?" Hahah! I have a lot of moments like that ;) I put the idea to the back of my mind and went on with my life. Sometime after that, the woman made another post or commented on something, and I recognized her name. All my thoughts came flooding back, and I just felt so compelled to contact her. At the risk of sounding like a crazy person, I reached out and told her how moved I was by their journey and how I would be soo honored if I could capture some memories for them at the hospital. To my surprise, she wrote back and said that she would talk to the Birth Mom and see what she thought about all of it! I got another message later saying they were TOTALLY on board, and wanted to hire me. AHHHHHH!!! <3 We spoke the next day on the phone, and she said something that I'll never forget! She told me that just the day before, her and her husband were talking about how it would be really amazing if they had someone photograph some of these moments for them. UMMMM GOOSEBUMPS!! (THAT totally sealed the deal for me. This was MEANT to be.)
Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | John, Britt & Kayla with sweet little Finnley
As I got to know Kayla, she shared with me how incredibly close she was to the Birth Mom, Britt + her two sweet kiddos and how they LITERALLY had become a family throughout all this. (Seriously, cue all the tears.) She sent me some photos of them cooking breakfast together on Mother's Day, and just hanging out at the house together! She also shared some BEAUTIFUL maternity photos they had done. I was so moved. To be honest with you, I didn't know very much about open adoptions. But I will tell you one of the reasons I wanted to be there to photograph them that day. I wanted them to be able to see themselves in that moment. For Britt to see herself holding little Finnley (SUCH A CUTE NAME!) I wanted Kayla & John to be able to see themselves becoming PARENTS, cuddling with their little man, and most importantly, I wanted Finnley to be able to see these photos someday. It is my prayer that he will be able to look at these photos when he is older, and see three ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE adults, that LOVE him more than anything in the World. Three beautiful people, that worked together, to create this precious life for him. You guys.. He is SOOOOOOO loved already.
Here are some of my favorites from my time with them.
Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Finnley with his precious big brother + sister
Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Mommy taking a moment with her sweet boy <3
When Kayla and I were first talking, she told me how long they had prayed that a birth mother would pick them that also wanted an Open Adoption. And it was Britt's desire to find the perfect family very early on in her pregnancy so that they could experience the pregnancy with her. So Kayla and John were able to go to appointments, to hear his sweet little heartbeat, and share in the joys of pregnancy with her! She told me they talked every day, and saw each other AT LEAST once a week. Britt gave them the gift of parenthood in the most beautiful way, and they have truly become a family. (They call themselves "The Tribe!") As you can imagine, I cried as I read through her e-mails. Finnley will grow up knowing Britt, and his big brother and sister, and get to experience ALL of their love. I am so in awe of this family!
Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | The beautiful Mama's <3
Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Mama Britt & Finnley <3
Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Their Tribe <3
Aren't they amazing? Sweet little Finnley is so blessed. I wanted to give Kayla, John, and Britt the biggest THANK YOU for letting me get a glimpse into your beautiful, precious journey. I know my life has been changed just knowing you all. You are an inspiration, and an image of HOPE for so many people. XO