I’d love to just show you this newborn session and say, “that’s that” on this adorable family, but this journey has not been so simple of a road. I am so thankful to also have Samantha writing on the blog today to share firsthand.

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I first met Justin and Samantha a few years ago through friends. Recently married, I saw many beautiful images from their Colorado wedding day and asked them to model for a styled bridal shoot. Throughout the process, Samantha and I grew closer and I really got to know both her and Justin better.

A few months later, I met the both of them and their sweet little fluff, Cav, for some family photos at the most gorgeous park here in Columbia.

“Growing up, most of us begin to create a vision of what our lives will look like one day. These dreams are shaped by our family, society, and our own desires. By the time we graduate from high school, we start to see that sometimes our plans that we so perfectly calculate don’t always fall into place. Most of us experience hurt, failure, and major disappointments in life before we are even out of our parents’ front door. In my life, I’ve learned that you have two choices when life is difficult: you can either let it shape who you are for the better, or you can let it tear you completely down.”

“Throughout my life, I have walked through hard times. One of the most painful times in my journey has been waiting to see how our family would ultimately come together. I have desired to be a mom for as long as I could remember, and when that didn’t come as a part of our perfect little plan, it was easy to start doubting that it would ever happen at all. As the desire for adoption became stronger and stronger in our hearts, it became so clear to me that beauty in this world doesn’t always come wrapped with a pretty, little bow. More often than not, true beauty is revealed from brokenness.”

Samantha and Justin’s announcement that they were adopting filled everyone’s hearts and I could not have felt more honored to capture their at-home life for their home study as they began the process of finding their angel.

Called away from a Target shopping trip, Justin and Samantha headed down south to meet their precious little girl for the first time. With so many people waiting to meet her, Justin’s family threw a welcome home party for them. Welcome home, Emerson Scout Miller!

“Along our journey to becoming parents, we had to grieve the loss of a pregnancy, the dream of having biological children, and the idea that perfect families are formed a certain way. Even though we had lots of pain, there was always a hope of something greater that we clung to.”

“Walking through the adoption process was the hardest thing we’ve ever experienced, but holding our little girl in our arms made it all worth it. We are a mom and a dad to the most perfect little girl.”

This sweet Emmie doesn’t even know how lucky she is to have Justin and Samantha as her parents. Her nursery was such a dream with warm sunlight and cozy pillows and stuffed animals.

Cav was quite hilarious as it began to set in that his big brother duties would soon begin. I think we all agreed that he’s going to miss being the star of the show for a bit 😉

“See, our story hasn’t been easy or normal compared to the world’s standards, but to us, it has been beautiful. We would walk through the lowest valleys again and again to feel the joy that we do today. We know that this is only the beginning of a life that will be filled with more sadness and pain, but we have learned that it’s all worth it in the end because of who it molds and shapes us to become.”

“Emerson Scout, you have taught your daddy and I more than you will ever know, before you were even born. XOXO, Samantha”

Samantha and Justin, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for time and time again choosing me to document the moments of your lives. I am absolutely elated for you and your families as you finally welcome Emmie Scout home. All of my love to the both of you. If you would like to read more about Justin and Samantha’s story, follow along on Samantha’s blog, Millers in the Making, here. Until next time 🙂

Love,

Laura