Let me introduce you to my dear friend Ashley! She’s a milestone photographer from Roanoke, but more than that she’s a faithful friend, loving wife, and soon to be momma! Ashley and I met at the first Creative at Heart conference two and a half years ago. It’s so crazy to think it’s been that long! Since then, we’ve gotten to share the ins and outs of small business ownership, photography life, and balancing family and friends amidst unconventional schedules. And as of recently, we’ve been leading  the Rising Tide Society’s Tuesdays Together group together! So needless to say, we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well :] When you can chat on the phone for an hour or so while editing, but also get straight to the heart of life together, it’s safe to say you’ve got a solid friendship.

The last year and a half brought the most special thing yet…we’ve been walking through motherhood together! Ashley and Robert are expecting Baby J so soon! Just a little over a month from now, in fact! She’s been there to see me go through pregnancy, newborn stage, and now toddler land, and now I get to do the same for her!

She hasn’t had the smoothest of pregnancies, which meant that getting out to the Blue Ridge Parkway to celebrate this season was even more exciting! The last few weeks of pregnancy are so bittersweet. You want it to be over because you’re uncomfortable, but you never feel quite ready for your baby to come. You want to meet the baby that you’ve been carrying, but it’s also terrifying! Life is about to change big time for these two, but they’re still the foundation of their little fam and I love the idea that they’ll have these to look back on. Baby J is present, but not quite pictured here and he’s half Robert and half Ashley and it’s an incredible thing. It all started with the two of them and Baby J is blessed  to get these two as his parents. I won’t wish away these next few weeks for them, but I know I’m not the only one who can’t wait to meet their little guy :]

We had a perfect cloudy evening! In the middle of a week where it rained every single day!

The cliche is true…she’s glowing!

I think we can all agree we had a magical sunset :] Sometimes I forget that we’re so lucky to live in the mountains!