John & Karen {Expecting} | Strawbridge Lake

John and Karen are two peas in a pod.  Laughter, silly faces and lots of love filled their maternity session at Strawbridge Lake in Moorestown.

These two… the true definition of “lovebirds.”  Truly smitten with each other and there is never a dull moment between them.  I think it is that bond that helped them get through the last few years.  Yes, years.  But their time finally came.  The moment they have wished for, the day they never gave up on… they were expecting their first baby!! I actually cried when I found out Karen was pregnant… REAL TEARS!  I have never been so happy in my life to see that announcement!

Karen has never been shy about her struggle.  She has been such an inspiration to many woman, especially me.  Her encouragement and her stories make woman going through the same journey feel as if they are not alone.  She shared this following story and make sure you have some tissues because it just might make you cry!

November 20th, 2015

“A series of events this morning has led me to believe it is finally time to write this post. A little over a year ago I had my left ovary removed due to extremely painful endometriosis.  A year before that I had cysts removed from that ovary but they returned with a vengeance.  Some of you may know that endometriosis can cause infertility.  This is my current situation.  My husband and I have been hoping for a baby for nearly 3 years now.  I am going through treatment and it is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.  I have incredibly supportive family and friends and I love them dearly.  So I write this not for pity, but to inspire.  I was always planning on sharing my story once I got pregnant.  Today, I realized it’s time to share.  I want any woman that is also going through this to please feel free to reach out to me.  Infertility is a stigma and we should not feel ashamed by this.  I am not proud of it – but I am damn proud of the warrior it has turned me into.  What is meant to be will be.”

November 20th, 2016

“A year ago today, I posted the status (above) and am so happy I did.  About a month before that I was at a yard sale with my mom.  I was talking to a woman with an adorable baby and saying how I wanted to take him because he was just too cute! Let’s be honest, that is what I did!  She laughed and said, No because she’d worked too hard to have him.  With that opening, I started sharing my infertility struggle and asked what worked for her.  We talked for a long time and she was so kind and gave me something I’d been missing for a long time; hope.  My mom and I moved on and were just about to leave when the lady came rushing over to me.  She handed me a onesie that her son had outgrown and said to put my baby in it someday.”

Karen slept with that onesie next to her bed for over a year.  This stranger from a random yard sale was open to sharing her story and did something so small, not knowing the impact she caused.  John and Karen got their warrior baby, and now it is mine turn!  Karen has offered to pass down THAT onesie to me as Mark and I embark on our journey to our warrior baby.  It is because of such strong woman, like Karen, that have made me feel not so alone.  Infertility is a long, dark struggle and NO ONE should be alone during a time like that.  I plan to continue this tradition and I hope to be able to pass down that onesie to someone else going through the same journey as us.

Now that I am full of tears, I am going to reminisce about that sunny day in September of last year and look back at these amazing images!

“I am not proud of it – but I am damn proud of the warrior it has turned me into.”

“We talked for a long time and she was so kind and gave me something I’d been missing for a long time; hope.”