Big Smiles — Pennsylvania Family Photography

You may remember the last nominate-a-friend contest that I held a while back. Julie, over at Zozobugbaby chose the Patel Family as the winners. This past weekend I had the joy of finally meeting up with them for their session. Here’s the entry that Shaden sent me …

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Submission by: Shaden Hein

I am nominating Monali and Sarjan Patel for a photo op! They had their first child, Aryana, in July of 2009. Aryana was born requiring major surgery in the first few months of her young life. Due to this, she was hospitalized in the NICU since birth. She had experienced some major ups and downs- which included being on a breathing machine for a long period of time. Monali and Sarjan, both residents with long hours, would spend their 12-14 hour days at Temple Hospital and go straight to the CHOP to care for Aryana every night. Happily, Aryana was discharged a few months ago (one year later!)- and their whole world has been blessed once again, finally complete at home as a family of three.

This family deserves a photo op because for a year their lives were torn upside down. The concern of Aryana’s recovery weighed heavy on them and was visible- yet Monali always asked about others. Everyday that I saw her in the hospital, she would selflessly ask about how my children were—meanwhile her only child could not be at home with her. Now, I can see the weight lifted off her shoulders as her baby is with her at home. She still has the same smile she always did, but there is an extra shine in her eye.

They will be beautiful in any photo and the miracle of life will be evident in their smiles, and Kate’s blessed gift of capturing this will help document it perfectly.

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I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see these big shining smiles : ) …

Doesn’t she have the most beautiful hair?! …

She was so cute in her little hat …

Smooooooshy kisses : ) …

And we ended things on the swings … which is just too cute for words, if you ask me : ) …

Patel Family, it was truly a delight. I’m so, so, so happy to see your little one with such a light in her eyes and a big bright smile on her face. I wish you all the best with your new life in San Diego! And Shaden, thanks for nominating such a wonderful family : )

Happy Tuesday!

Kate