Inspiring

That is what this family is.... I have known Steph since we were 19? 20? I crack up at photos of us back then...pre-kids....Experiencing my first (& only) falling down drunk, dancing & Erik practically carrying my out of the restaurant at Stephs 21st bday. Wow...that was a proud moment...or not. I paid for it that same night & the next day...We get a good laugh out of it now...both of us would probably be too embarrassed to say what we got drunk on that night. We went through our first pregnancies together. I remember getting the phone call that Steph was pregnant...then I found out that I was pregnant...then I got ANOTHER phone call...they were expecting triplets! Our due dates were within a week or two of each other. We were living in Portland at the time.... Then the day came that Steph was put on bed rest, then admitted to the hospital...at 24wks? I remember the updates coming, day by day. Her hubby would call...I dreaded those calls, for purely selfish reasons. I felt so guilty for being relieved that my baby was healthy. She was blessed with three little boys growing in her & she would likely lose them.... My heart ached for her. For him. For them. Then the call came...her Eric called & told my Erik that they had lost the boys...I can remember standing in my bathrobe, sobbing, holding my growing belly...I knew why he had asked to talk to Erik & wouldn't talk to me. I hated myself for feeling relief that my baby was ok, yet worried that something would happen to my girl & horrible pain for our friends. I felt so guilty for being so far away when my friend was going through this horrible, horrible thing. Yet, I was glad that she didn't have to see me pregnant. It wasn't fair. The thing is...I don't think that Steph ever said that it isn't fair...that's not her, or Eric. I wish that my heart could be as selfless as theirs. Gosh, It seems like just yesterday, now their family has 3 more beautiful children. Two girls & now a baby boy. I look at him & wonder what his brothers would look like now, at 7. Crazy, it's been 7 yrs. 7 yrs & Eric & Steph have grown so much together. I remember worrying that they would break during that time. They are an inspiring couple. Their love for each other & their love for other families going through similar trials. I have learned so much from them.... Their girls are so much like their mama...little spitfires...tough as nails & just as stubborn as their dad. ;) There are so many photos from their session that make me sob, but I don't want to share them...I want to save a few for a surprise! :)