Parenthood is tough.  It is.  So is single parenthood.  Tougher, from my observations.  I have so many friends and family that are gripped with grace and doing an incredible job with single parenthood.  I realize they may not see it that way because they are in the middle of the forest.  I want to stop and say, “I see you.  I see the battles and the victories.  I see your determination and weariness.  And…  I see the difference you’re making in your kids’ lives.  Keep gripping grace!”

I want to do what I can to bless the struggle.  This single-dad family session was a lot of fun for me because there were twins involved.  You may not know it, but I am a twin myself!  My mom didn’t know she was having twins until I came out – two weeks late and 13 minutes after my sister.  Surprise!

My heart instantly connected with these twins.  In fact, after the client consultation to plan our session, I just hung out with the girls for a while to get to know them.  I saw similar bonds and tension that I experienced with my twin, and I definitely saw two very different personalities!  I wanted to be sure to capture the uniqueness of their twinship (spell check does not like that word), but also the uniqueness of their individuality (which often gets muddled when people think of “the girls”).  The girls also have a brother, so I wanted to make sure I gave him as much attention as I was the girls.

Even with their very different personalities, I think the collective way to describe these kids is “wild passion”.  Not that they were unruly or out-of-control, but their fervor for life and imaginations didn’t have a ceiling.  There was a hill; they ran up it with glee.  There was a squirrel; they squatted down to watch it with intensity.  There was a lap to snuggle on; they leaned in with all their hearts.

Individually she was sweet, silly, and thoughtful; he was adventurous and calculating; and she was hungry for the thrill, ready for the next experience, and willing to try anything.  Dad was obviously smitten with them all.  I was so impressed at how much thought and time he put into their outfits and getting these three rambunctious kids ready!

So I brought hot chocolate and marshmallows to reward them all!  Dad and son read a Bible story while everyone sipped on the hot chocolate (especially welcome on such a brisk afternoon) and I enjoyed watching them interact as a family.  Before you start comparing this scene to your own family, let me assure you there were plenty of marshmallow-stuffed mouths, crossed eyes, and bursts of laughter to cap it all off!

Whatever shape your family is in… Keep gripping grace!

Thanks for reading!  This is just one of my ways of putting a smile back in the world!