My Mom and Dad: What it means to love

I believe that there is safety in the fact that someone has known you for your entire life, since the moment your life was announced and made known. I think one of the many gifts of parenting is having the joy and privilege of being the first to know that a new life is about to be born into the world, and you get to watch it all! Not that I would know from parenting experience, but I know it from being the child great parents. I feel safe knowing that my parents have known me for my entire existence (adopted children have a different yet equally beautiful story to tell, and I love to hear their stories too! But this is just my experience of being born into a family.)

What makes my parents so great is not that they are perfect, or haven’t made any mistakes, but what makes them great is that they love in the best way that they know how, they apologize when they have made mistakes, they live their lives openly and honestly…not in hiding or in vague explanations. They are great because they have created a safe place where I can go to be honest, be myself, and be loved just the same.

My parents have been on an interesting journey this past year. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer back in July, and even though there was a successful operation, and technically speaking my mom is now cancer free, the doctors strongly advised she go on chemotherapy. She had her first treatment the day before my parents flew to Idaho for Christmas break. What a trooper, right?! It had been on my heart to do a photoshoot of my parents up at my Grandpa’s cabin, to celebrate my mom, who my parents are, and the strong love and commitment that the two of them share together. These photos are very dear to me and I love that we were able to do these in a very special location. I love you Mom and Dad!!

To read the latest updates on my Mom and her cancer journey, check out my Dad’s blog here!

To view the blog and read a little bit more about our time with our family in Idaho and Oregon, click here!