Intimate Home Birth Portraits in Bulverde, TX

This blog is a hard one for me to write, but also one I feel so deeply called to share. March 1st will forever be one of the most bittersweet days I have ever lived through. It was a day where I witnessed the full circle of life through two of my closest friends. I had been waiting in anticipation for my best friend, Michelle to go into labor because I was capturing her home birth in Bulverde, TX, which I was thrilled about. However, on March 1st when I finally got “the call” that labor was happening, one of my other dear friends, Amanda, was praying her mom would come home from the hospital. I felt stuck between two emotions on the opposite end of the spectrum, one utter heartbreak for my friend Amanda preparing to say goodbye to her mom, and overwhelming joy for Michelle, who was preparing to welcome her baby girl, Ruth.

The Morning It All Began

The day started off a little chaotic, in the best way. My husband, my sister, and I were rushing downtown to the Alamo to watch my dad participate in a reenactment, “The Immortal 32.” He did such an incredible job, and I’m so thankful we were able to be there for that moment. Before we left, I got the text from Sam, Michelle’s husband, that Michelle’s labor started around 5:00am. It was finally happening. Sweet Ruthie girl was on her way.

Before heading downtown, we made a quick stop at Michelle’s house. I just knew I wanted to be there for every moment, and since this was her third baby, I was very nervous her labor was going to move quickly and I didn’t want to miss it! Michelle encouraged me to go ahead to the Alamo, and I’m so glad I listened. Thankfully, we didn’t miss anything, and I was able to be there for my dad. Afterward, I rushed back to their home.

Holding Two Realities at Once

A little after lunchtime, I got a text from my husband:
“Have you talked to Amanda?”

Instantly, my heart sank and my eyes filled with tears, as I knew Amanda’s mom had passed.

There are moments in life where you just know without anything ever being said. At that exact moment, I was standing there watching Michelle labor, seeing life being brought into the world, while another was experiencing unimaginable loss. I stepped away and cried.

Michelle and Amanda are both friends as well, and I felt it was important to share that moment with Michelle. Even in the middle of labor, her heart broke for Amanda too. It was just one of those moments where everything felt so heavy and so sacred all at once.

A Promise of New Life

As the day went on, the emotions stayed close to the surface. The weight of loss and the anticipation of new life existed side by side in a way I had never experienced before.

And then, at 7:14pm, sweet Ruthie made her entrance into the world. It was beautiful and so powerful. At that moment, all I could think about was how she felt like God’s little promise of new life and hope. A reminder that even in the midst of loss, life continues and there is still hope, beauty, and joy to be found. I will always see Ruthie as a sweet reminder of the beauty of life. As one beautiful life comes to an end another one begins.

Intimate Home Birth Portraits

I am so incredibly grateful to Michelle for allowing me to be part of something so intimate, emotional, and sacred. Witnessing a home birth, especially after having my own children, was one of the most eye-opening and moving experiences.

A woman’s body is truly remarkable. The strength, the instinct, the way everything works together is something that is hard to fully put into words. Life is a gift and birth is such a miracle.

March 1st will always hold a very special place in my heart, as it was a day of loss, of life, and one that reminded me just how deeply connected those two things really are.

I don’t know if I’ll capture more births in the future, but I will say, never say never! Being part of this day and this full circle life moment is something I will carry with me forever.