Strength and Beauty... | Hampton Family Photography

Let me introduce you to a family that I've only known for a very short time, who I've had very little contact with, but who have made a very big impact on my life.

I've known the 'F' family since last year when Trey started his pre-K program. Their son, Sean, was in his class and they became fast friends. Trey would come home with little pictures that Sean had cut out, colored, and gifted him with... he would talk about his friend Sean all the time... "Hey Mom! Did you know...Sean did this... and then that... and then this... and then that...." Every so often, in the afternoons, as I would stand in the little hallway outside of Trey's classroom, waiting for them to finish singing, "It was a good day..." Sean's dad would be there waiting too, with Sean's older brother, Nick. Nick would smile at Noah who, at the time, was barely walking and would giggle at him or, more often than not, make some kind of odd-Noah-grunt... and Nick would say, "He's cute!" and smile.

But mainly, that was the extent of the contact I had with the 'F' family. Courteous... a mutual respect for the cuteness of our kids. But each of us with busy lives...

Then as the year came to a close and we were giving out invitations to Trey's 1/2 Birthday Party, we noticed Sean was gone from school early. Trey, with all that kid-honesty I love so much, said, "Sean said his brother is sick. So they have to go on vacation early. He said he has headaches..."

The summer progressed ... and then Trey was invited to a birthday party... and Sean was there! DJ talked to his mom for a bit and, at my insisting, obtained her email address so I could forward on a picture I had taken of the boys at school that spring.

DJ spoke with Christina for a while... and, as it turns out, Nick was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, DIPG or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Their "early vacation" was a trip to St. Jude's in Memphis for rigorous treatment.

This one hit really close to home. I was... kind-of... fraught with uncertainty about what to do ... I knew I wanted to DO something... to SAY just the perfect thing... to REACH OUT to them. But I was so unsure of how to go about doing that without sounding cliche or fake... in the end, I just sent an email saying I wanted to offer them some portraits...

Christina was gracious and wonderful and open and has been ever since. I've read their Caring Bridge journal which she so willingly shared with me, I cried and laughed, and... more than anything... I've been amazed at the strength of their family through this.

It's only been a few months and their spirit is amazing. Nick was diagnosed on May 30th of this year... and is doing SO well. At their last visit to St. Jude's, the doctor's said there was a significant reduction in the size of the tumor.... There is hope.

So here they are. A beautiful family... a strong family... and a family, who despite it all, is just as real and wonderful as can be.



Meet Nick...



And Sean...









Now go hug your kids. And smile.

Until next time,

~ K