~ A new day has come ~

Have you ever admired someone so completely that they entirely changed your world upside down? Can you fathom that same person that has been your muse for so long, now wants to sing your song for example? Or in my case, be photographed by me.

I first met Natalie over 3.5 years ago on a wedding planning site. We were both on Canadian Bride, long before the likes of Pinterest and other such eye pleasing blogs. She posted photos of her bridal shower and I almost died. I asked her in amazement, who was responsible for photographing such jaw-dropping images and her response has contributed to forever changing my life. In that single moment.

She, this gorgeous and young lady was the photographer. And then it hit me. Whatever this is, I need to do this with my life.

We carried on communicating for a few years, and had many deep and heartfelt "conversations." She helped me with my struggling beginnings in photography, and we chatted about life, love and most personally, her desire to have a baby.

Together we conspired to one day meet but since the distance permitted this, I concocted a different plan. I scrawled a message to God, translated to Italian by Natalie, put it in a bottle and threw it far into the rapidly flowing currents of the river. One day, I received a message, on the day I bought my first professional camera: You're getting a D800 and I'm getting a baby. Both our dreams are coming true.

Michael and I took a week long trip to Ottawa, Mont Tremblant and Montreal last week and I finally got to meet Nat and her family in person. She was a lot shorter than I imagined, but then again, so was Madonna. It's funny how someone so high on the pedestal in your imagination, is not really that tall at all. But in real life, this tiny and beautiful person who I've admired so immensely over all these years, is a sweet, talented and excited mother-to-be. And after spending the day and night with her mom, sister, grandparents, husband and doggy, it felt like we were forever friends.

And we will be.

Natalie, Lucas & family, thank you so much for being so hospitable to us. We had minimal time to work with, no chance for an alternate rain date and no real planning went into this shoot. Sometimes, like we discussed, there is this moment where the spontaneous meets the talent, and magic just happens. We hope these images tide you over until your beautiful baby girl Ellia arrives. We can't wait to meet her.

Love always,

Wendy