Marlena + Jameson: Part of Create Love Project

I’ve held off on posting this for a while because I have had a hard time thinking of the right words to tell their story.  At the end of last year I was feeling a little drained and discouraged.  I wanted to do something really meaningful with photography…something that would mean the world to someone else…helping someone by just doing something Im good at.  I was praying for God to guide me or provide me with something doing just that using my photography.  Not long after, Heather, a fellow photographer started the Create Love Project.   It a community of photographers all over the U.S. and Canada who are donating their time and talent to families who need a boost.  Families who may have fallen into hard times and may not be able to afford a session, but could use a little love and hope for the future.  I signed up and before I knew it I was sitting at my computer in tears reading Marlena +  Jameson’s story.

A paraphrased version of the story received from Marlena:

Marlena first met Brandon in high school and the two of them had an instant connection.   After Brandon joined the Air Force and headed off to boot camp they spent some time apart.  Years later fireworks started again when the two of them reconnected back home.  They dated long distance for a while until Brandon surprised her on valentines day with a plane ticket to see him.  When she stepped off the plane he was there, in uniform, on one knee, with a little black box in his hand.   From that moment things took off and they got married the the next day!  Brandon and Marlena were very spontaneous, young and in love… They knew they were to be together.  This year they would have been celebrating their 7 year anniversary.

On August 25, 2012 Marlena received devastating news and she knew her life would never be the same.  Brandon died in a motorcycle accident.  The two of them were experienced riders and love to ride dirt bikes and street bikes.  That was one of their common interest and one of the things they’d do together.  That night he went off the road and Marlena isn’t sure why.  It was raining that night, after dark, and on wooded back roads so he could have hydroplaned, or saw a deer.  The reason is still a mystery but the result is the same.  Marlena lost her husband.   She thought her life had ended, she was lost and had shut down completely.  She told me that she rode her motorcycle in the funeral procession, next to his dad and doesn’t even remember doing it.   The next few weeks she spent in denial and deep depression until one day she woke up with a strange feeling.  She realized that her and Brandon were expecting….that she was pregnant.  Brandon left her with a piece of him.  She was happy, terrified, excited, alone, and afraid.   Brandon and Marlena had talked about having kids and he was partial to having a little girl…. a little Marlena.

Jameson is now 2 years old.  She looks JUST like her daddy and I’ve been told she acts like him too.  Marlena is an amazing mother.   Even with all that she has been through you can tell that Jameson sees no pain or hurt.  She’s done an amazing job raising Jameson and telling Jameson about her daddy.  Jameson told me during our session that her daddy was in the clouds.  She also showed me how to do a lazy boy (that’s a dirt bike trick) on the trampoline.  It’s no doubt to me that Brandon is so very proud of the two of them.  I couldn’t even begin to fathom the emotion and difficulty that Marlena went through having going through pregnancy and motherhood without her partner, soulmate and husband.   God works in amazing ways and  I truly believe he has his hands on this one.

Marlena and Brandon went through a rough patch in their marriage, as we all experience from time to time.  Brandon solution to their arguing was a divorce since that’s what he experienced in childhood.  The quickly realized they wanted to work it out and their relationship was better then ever.  They talked of having another wedding before this accident happened.  Unfortunately because of their divorce Jameson isn’t receiving the military and purple heart benefits from her dad because the courts can’t just take Marlena’s word for it.  They require a paternity test which can be collected from Brandon’s parents.  His dad side is completely cooperative but sadly, his mother is not.  Not only did Marlena lose her husband but she has had to constantly fight a financial and legal battle to get justice for Jameson.  I encourage you to check out her page to read more of her story and to see pictures of them.

Lastly, how incredibly ADORABLE is Jameson.  She is such a little ball of happiness with such energetic personality.   When I first showed up she was a little shy but warmed up pretty quickly.  We started our session at their house documenting a normal day for them and ended at the beach.  She even wanted to hold my hand on the walk to the beach. My heart melted.

Marlena and Jameson, may these images always give you a little smile, a little love, a little hope for the future, and a little remembrance of Brandon.  A documentation of the incredible bond you two have and will always have.   A special time in your life that is so fleeting as Jameson continues growing and you continue healing.   I hope to see you both again soon.  xoxo