Dear Daughter's on Mother's Day (For those with Mother's that have passed away)
Dear Alicia, Amanda, Sara C, Sarah G, and Stephanie,
I can't even begin to explain what happen. Devine intervention, The Universe, God, whatever you believe, this story is from a higher power.
It was a few days before Mother's Day and I wasn't worried to much about it. I was scrolling Facebook and saw a post, "A Letter to Motherless daughters on Mother's Day." I didn't feel like crying, so I didn't read it.
However that moment, reading that title, took my heart in a completely different direction for that week than I had planned. It was your Mothers. There is no other explanation.
I started making calls, sending messages to my closest friends, clients and anyone I knew that lost their mother. If you recall it sounded something like this, "Hey, do you want to come and do a fun photo shoot with me on Friday, it's suppose to be beautifully sunny out. It will be fun and low key."
My gift from the universe is pictures. I might not always have the right words, or best answers but if you're feeling blue, I can take your picture and watch you light up when you see how beautiful you are! I can do that!
That simple gesture turned into a life changing experience for me. Thank you for that. 
I am close to all of you for different reasons, all from different walks of life and all at different stages of your mother's death.
In two days I planned for you to be at my house, hair and make up artists lined up, and I would do a session with you Edmond's beach at sunset.
Little did I know the magic that was about to play out in all our lives.
Venders jumped on board and everything we needed was taken care of.
It was so amazing to see a community come together for such a great cause. I decided to contact a few News Channels to see what they thought of covering the event and King 5 was the first to get back to me.
Thank you again to everyone that helped make this possible. The mission was for each girl to feel INSANELY LOVED! Mission accomplished!
AMAZING Flower Crowns & Flower Center Pieces: Lola Floral
Delicious Pie Shooters & Homemade Sugar Cookies: Snohomish Pie Company
Yummy Green Smoothies & Sweet Potato Chips: Alive Juice Bar
Perfectly Handmade Cards: Goodey Studio
Stunning Glass Jewelry: Cheryl Parrot
Adorable Homemade Lipgloss: Craft Botanicals
Elegant Letterhead: Milly design Studio
NUMMY Cupcakes & other Sweet treats: Mandy Pierce
Perfect Make up & Stunning Hair: Make Up By Timmi & Michelle-Make Up Artistry & Taylor Wickman
Fun Vintage Couch & other decor: Vintage Ambiance
Amazing Dinner: Sponsored by Demetris on Edmond's Waterfront
Documenting the event so we can cherish it forever: King 5 News
Spread the word, Ring My Belle: Rachel Belle
To make things even more amazing, Edward the guy that recruited our story from King 5, started to tell me the day of the event was actually his Mother's birthday and that she had passed away years ago and he was really close to her! Crazy timing!
Right after I got off the phone with him I got a message from Sarah G, she had been reading her mom's diary and she read an entry about Edmond's beach and it's beauty just a few weeks off from our event date. (Picture above)
Heather Graf from King 5 and awesome camera man Dave!
Each of you bring your own gift to this world. Let me tell you how special you really are through my eyes.
First Stephanie walked through the door, she might as well of had a beaming light with angels behind her! Her smile lit up the house, she graced me with a huge hug and said she couldn't wait to see her sister! I had only met her one other time at her sister's wedding. I felt drawn to her instantly because of her courage and strength. When their Mother, Elaine passed away when the girls were young, Stephanie often had to play the role of Mom and big sister.
Sarah G. followed soon after, her classic beauty and timeless effort was as if she glided through the door out of a classic black and white movie. Her beauty mirrors that one of Marilyn Monroe or Aubrey Hepburn. I've know her for years, actually a decade! We had recently reunited and picked up right where we left off. You can see her wearing her Mom, Sandra's wedding dress! I remember when Sarah and I had reunited and were chatting over drinks. She mentioned her mom's passing and that it was one of the hardest things she had ever gone through. I hope this experience relieved some of that pressure, as I do feel strongly, it was all their Mother's making this happen.
Sara C. followed next and gave me the biggest hug, with a her perfect laugh as we joked about something, given our similar sense of humor! Her piercing deep dark blue eyes put the blue skies to shame and her easy going nature makes you feel like you're family! I've know Sara for years and I have to give her credit for trusting me with her family pictures when I was first starting out! Thank you Sara! I was around when Odie, Sara's mom past away. I couldn't imagine what she was going through, I just remember noticing that she handled it with so much grace as she had to continue being a wife and mother to two adorable girls.
Alicia of our course came through the door looking like a Pop Star somewhere in-between Katy Perry and Britney. Bubbly, happy, gorgeous and makes you want to start dancing! I've know her since high school and the Summer before had the honor of photographing her beautiful wedding. Alicia has a beautiful tattoo along with her sister, of their mom's hand writing, saying "I love you."
Amanda was last and beamed with a smile and her beautiful graceful face, soft eyes, and motherly nature put us all at ease. Her calming voice had us all relax! Amanda and I met at dinner party and became instant friends. We will always be in each other's lives, even if we don't see each other often! Amanda & her sister lost her Mother not long ago and her story of her Mother Linda hit close to home for all of us as it was very recent.
Each girl had never met each other before, but as our paths were crossing, it felt in that moment we were all where we were meant to be.
Amanda and Sarah below, also came with their Mother's Wedding Dresses. You'll see them as you keep scrolling, and they wear them beautifully.
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.
Thank you to Cindy Thompson for making sure we were able to send off Chinese lanterns in each Mother's honor including Edward's Mom. My favorite part was watching you huddle together describing how each lantern did it's own thing and that's so…"My mom would go off in her own direction." or "There she goes float off into the water." or "She keeps soaring higher."
Amanda took the moment a step further with each girl by offering up an opportunity to tell their story. Thank you for that Amanda, it was beautiful to watch.
Happy Mother's Day you 5 beautiful souls!
Love,
Jessica