You know those people that just come into your life and you instantly know it was for a reason?? Like life long friends reason? Yeah, that's THIS family!! Words can not describe how much I truly love these wonderful humans <3 <3 I have had the AMAZING HONOR of documenting this family for a year!! 6 amazing milestone photo shoots for them over the past year. Being their family & documentary photographer while Ben was deployed was the BIGGEST & MOST AMAZING HONOR EVERRRR!! Ben Bills was deployed for almost a full year (11months) and while he was deployed, I did the following photo shoots for his sweet family. So he could be apart of them, and that they could remember these moments always :):) We started with their Pre-Deployment photo shoot (where I met this sweet and STUNNING family). After Ben got deployed we did Samantha's Maternity session (she was 8 weeks along when he got deployed). I documented Samantha's baby shower. Right after she had their sweet little boy, I photographed their In Home Newborn session. Then I photographed their daughter's 2nd birthday cupcake smash. Lastly, I photographed this. His homecoming <3 <3 This day is a day I will NEVER forget!! I cried, and I cried hard. I have become so close with this family, being there for every big moment. Watching Samantha Bills be so strong most days and be there for her on the harder days. Watching their now 2, sweet babies grow <3 Becoming such close friends and hanging out as often as possible. Watching Samantha and her kids talk to daddy over skype and hearing the love they share for one another. Ben was present at every photo shoot :):) Either in person on the phone or as an image that we used to show him kissing her cute pregnant belly :):) I have been there. Through soooo much, I have been there. I felt apart of this family. We (along with one of our best friends Allison who was taking video of their day) got to the airport early of course :):) We were all so anxious for this moment. This family had been waiting for this moment for 11 months!! Samantha had had her sweet son with Ben watching on Skype. They now had a 4 month old boy that she had raised alone, but today, he gets to meet his Daddy for the very first time <3 Their daughter was barely 1 when he left, she's now 2 :):) So many wonderful emotions were running through their entire family and us as well (Alli & I). Samantha had stayed up to make the cutest signs for her family!! She displayed them with pride. Then, we waited. We waited for what seemed like forever. Then we got a text, he had landed!!!!!!!!!! We all shifted back and forth and did NOT take our eyes off of the gate :):) Then I heard Alli say, 'There he is!!' I saw where Ben was and then immediately turned to get Samantha's reaction <3 then I didn't stop photographing from then on :):) I felt like time stood still. That they were the only 2 ppl in the world moving. Alli and I watched as they hugged, so tight. They cried, so hard. They kissed, for the first time in 11 months and it was amazing to be document every tender moment. Hand in hand they walked over and Samantha picked up their sweet son our of the stroller and handed him to Ben <3 That moment was priceless. It all was. But to see Ben meet his son for the first time was breathtaking. He hugged his son, he kissed his little boy and we all cried :):) Then watching their cute daughter reach out for him and say 'Daddy!!' She KNEW who that man was!! He hugged her, kissed her and tickled her :):) She was in HEAVEN!! It was the most amazing day, with the most amazing feelings, and now, it's documented forever <3 <3 That day was magical. I followed them, documenting their entire day start to the second they closed their front door :):) Ben got to meet the mayer, was welcomed home with a police escort, had a TON of loved ones lining the streets waving flags in his honor. The kids had drawn pictures in chalk in the road & on their driveway welcoming him home!! Allison did an AMAZING job at putting everything together. She decorated their home with banners, painted mason jars, ribbons, flags, chalk, ect. Their LDS ward had really pitched in to make most of the decorations!! What an amazing ward!! They did a GREAT job and Alli rocked putting it all together and getting so many to come welcome him home!! It was a magical day. Homecomings have a VERY special place in my heart and... I can't WAIT to photograph my next one!! I love my country, I love my flag, I love our military. I'm soooo grateful for all those who put their lives on the line, or who have sacrificed their lives, for our freedom, for my families freedom, for my freedom!! God has truly blessed this land, he is in the details. God is good and we are so blessed. Thank you Ben Bills for your service!! Words can not express my thanks!! We are so grateful to have you & countless others protecting our country, our freedoms, our families. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! We love you Bills family and are so thankful for Ben's safe arrival HOME!! Taylor Jay Photography http://bit.ly/TaylorJayPhotographyFb Come join my Taylor Jay Photography Fan Page!! Like.Comment.Share.Enjoy!! <3 Facebook Pm me to book YOUR Taylor Jay Photo shoot <3 Please enjoy these AMAZING articles on 'welcome home' from lds.org https://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&query=welcome+home
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