Story Portrait | Anderson Family

5 years ago, Kimberly led a small group that I belonged to in high school. Once a week, she would wake up at 6:00AM to prepare breakfast for the 5 or 6 girls who showed up at her house at 7:00AM eager to be fed. And once a week, Kimberly fed us the gospel from her kitchen table with a side of sausage egg and cheese casserole. She taught us what it meant to be strong women of the Lord- “ezers” according to the Hebrew Old Testament. She taught us how to live in community with one another- 6 girls all from different schools, with different interests and entirely different backgrounds. Those mornings are some of my most cherished memories from high school.

Last spring Kimberly and Dan came to Tallahassee. Kimberly called me and asked if I could go to lunch. In between bites, she shared with me her recent struggles- 2 miscarriages, the loss of a loved one, and the need for direction. My heart broke for my friend, but as she was talking I couldn’t help but admire her courage. Even amidst her pain and heartache, she was strong enough to be honest with me. Strong enough to say , “Life has been really hard.”

What seemed like not long after, I received the most wonderful text from Kimberly sharing the news that they were expecting and asking the most gracious question, “Will you take photos for us??” Oh how overjoyed I was for my dear friends. And soon their request turned into this beautiful day. 3 months later, I got the privilege of meeting Dan and Kimberly at the hospital to photograph the birth of their baby boy. I arrived at 4 pm with no idea what to expect. When I reached their room, I found Kimberly walking around eating an orange and Dan browsing the iPad. “Well this is certainly not like what you see on TV,” I thought. Kimberly went on to explain to me that she would be having the baby naturally, so it may be a long process. Excited for the process, I got my camera ready and had a seat ready for the action.

12 hours went by as I watched my friend labor for her child. Her strength amazed me. The way she not once complained of the pain. The way she spoke to Benjamin and told him what a good job he was doing and how she couldn’t wait to see him. For 12 hours I watched Kimberly embody the hebrew ezer – the female helper who lends strength. And with 3 more hours came a few complications that lead to a necessary caesarean section and a very healthy baby boy. At first I was sad for Kimberly. Sad that she labored for so long and with such strength, just for the baby to removed unnaturally. But after seeing the most precious face of their new son, I realized that even this was the Lord’s perfect plan for Dan, Kimberly, and Benjamin’s life. Kimberly’s efforts were not in vain. She labored for 15 hours as the strong helper that her baby needed to get through that stage of the process, and to enter the world as a strong healthy 9 lb baby boy.

What an honor I feel to have witnessed the miracle of life. Dan and Kimberly, congratulations on your new life, and thank you for giving me the great privilege of documenting it. I love you guys!