We battle to stay on top of orders during our holiday rush as we continue to process and artwork the images we’ve been taking recently, as both of us and our two sons struggle with a flu bug that won’t seem to go away and all of the unpleasantness that comes along with that. This can make it challenging to keep moving forward on a daily basis, but we know we have to and one of the things that helps us do that is all of the wonderful letters we receive from people we’ve been fortunate to work with over the years. It’s amazing for us to be reminded by someone about why we do what we do and it really does keep us going. So thank you again everyone for that. We wanted to share a letter we found especially touching that we received a few weeks back. It hits home probably a little more because we have little kids as well, but this is one of the letters at the top of the list when we need a little pep talk lately. Here’s the letter:
Derrick and April,
This Thank You is so very long overdue, but I wanted to write and let you know just how very much we appreciate the images that you captured for us. We have the photos hanging in Kolten and Klara’s rooms as well as in our hallways. I look at them daily and the other night as I was putting Klara to bed one of the images caught my eye and I couldn’t help but think of your question; “How will your story be told?” And I thought it was kind of funny, I think your photos have helped write the version of our story that I will want to remember in years to come.
What you may not know is that when our little Klara was born she had some minor health problems. Unbeknown us she had a dairy and soy protein allergy and was literally allergic to my breast milk. To say that the first few months of her life were a struggle would be such an understatement. I can’t even describe the number of hours she screamed in pain, the questions we had and the road we all had to travel to find an answer. What I can tell you is that today she is doing so much better!
Looking back at those images you captured, I think you helped solidify the story that I want told about my little girl. Because when I look at those pictures I don’t see the 17 hours a day of crying and pain, I don’t remember the countless trips to the doctor and to Children’s Hospital, I don’t see the trial and failure of multiple attempts to help her. What I do see is what every mother sees when they look at their little baby. I see the wonderful, strong and beautiful little girl that she is. As time passes we will soon forget about the difficulties that we once had, but those images we will hold with us forever. You have managed to capture and put onto paper what I as a mother have always seen and felt and that is – – – LOVE! So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping us write the part of our story that we want told, the one of strength, family and most of all, LOVE. We look forward to working with you and your incredible talents in the future and seeing the wonderful gifts that you will capture. Thank you so very very much!
~ Amanda
P.S. By the way, I can’t even begin to comment on the pictures of Kolten you took. I don’t know how you are able to capture all the life and sprit in a 1 year old’s eyes, but you did it. All I can say is AMAZING!
