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I met Todd when we both worked for the University of Kansas. He so sweetly talked about his wife, Jess — about how she was so smart and talented, about how he is so lucky to be married to such an amazing woman, and then some. They seemed so perfect: him, a marketing professional who used to train for cycling at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and her, a bubbly school teacher with amazing hair.
What I didn’t know until a couple of years after we began working together was that their hearts were breaking. They were told they couldn’t have kids.
I think about how I would feel if I were told I couldn’t have children with my partner. I know it had to have been devastating. I think if it were me, I’d struggle with anger, with jealousy any time I saw anyone else who was pregnant, with depression. But when Todd talked about their struggles, he always seemed to be optimistic. He never seemed to accept that he and Jess would never be parents, even though that’s what they were told.
And then, Jess miscarried. What would seem as something so devastating — and I’m sure it was in many ways — came as a sign of hope for them. They had been pregnant. That meant maybe it could happen, right?
They found out late in 2016 that they were expecting. By February, they announced they were expecting their daughter, Taylor. Today, she’s a sweetheart of a 3-year-old who looks just like her momma. And just a year-and-a-half ago, little Kodi joined the family. This beautiful family of four was told they’d never be. But today, these girls are living proof that miracles (or, miracle babies!) can happen.
So often, people are afraid to talk about their difficulties, yet Todd and Jess have graciously shared theirs through the years. I’m sharing it now to give couples hope. Their story is so inspirational and I’m so happy I got to share it, both here and through their photos. Even though Todd and Jessica (and all of us, really) knew they weren’t complete without these girls, it’s so incredible to see how much life they’ve brought to the their parents’ world.
I’d love to meet you and share your story, too. Contact me, and let’s capture your world.
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