My big brother has always been one of the most likable people I’ve ever known. I was no angel as a kid, but he made loving me look easy. He played with me and shared with me and included me when I wanted to tag along at his playdates. As we got older, he drove me around and invited me out for coffee dates. No matter who I brought over, be it a roommate from college, a friend I just met, or my future husband, Brian made them all feel as welcome as family. I never felt in his way or unwanted around Brian. I kind of always wanted to be where he was, because that’s just the way Brian tends to make people feel.
He’s the biggest smile in the room. He’s the best conversationalist at the party. He’s the greatest encourager of every person he ever meets. He’s the first to volunteer for any job and is sincerely happy to lend a hand or an hour or a car without hesitation. His laugh is genuine and will make you feel confident. And his wife and children are his absolute pride and joy.
Kristi is Mom to these four gorgeous girls, and I think she’d be just as graceful about it even if she had four more. Whatever Kristi does, she nails. Raising children, opening her home, growing a garden, feeding her family, designing and decorating just about anything, warding off sickness in a big family…Kristi wrote the book on it all. She makes decisions with purpose and intentionality. She has built up a home where her family is free to play and learn and laugh and thrive. My nieces are smiling, giggling, and enjoying life nearly constantly. Their contentment and joy is such a beautiful reflection of the incredible woman who is raising them and whose genes they share.
Over the fifteen years they have been married, and the six or so they were dating before that, I have had the privilege of seeing my brother and my sister-in-law grow as a couple, as parents, and as followers of Christ. It delights me to no end to see the humility and faithfulness that they both exhibit in every facet of their lives, and to watch my precious nieces learn and grow under their example.
It was a bonus treat for me that this session also included Kristi’s family, who I have also known for the past twenty years. What a joy it was to watch my nieces light up as they played with their adorable little cousin, and to see Kristi’s wonderful parents with all their grandkids. And it happened to be on Kathleen’s birthday no less!
I love this family with all of my heart, and I will always count it a joy and a true honor when I get to capture the beauty of their crew with my camera. Especially because it means that I get to be with them in person, which I just cannot get enough of. :)
