Lauren Reynolds Photography, LLC

I left this session in awe of how wonderfully well-mannered these children were. It was a pleasure to be with them this beautiful evening late last fall. They were fun, polite, sincere, sweet and just all-around delightful. I had the suspicion that this graciousness they portrayed came from their beautiful mamma, but little did I know that I would be the direct recipient of her graciousness in the weeks to come.

You see, as I was dropping her holiday cards off at her home a few weeks after their session, my Texas-sized SUV almost ran smack into her home. Yup, you read that right! I’m still not exactly sure how it happened, but we certainly averted major disaster. The terror I felt as I turned around and saw the grill of my SUV barreling towards me, entirely too close for comfort, is still with me. I mean, really, if I had waited another 10 seconds to turn around, the car would have hit me first and then her front steps! Luckily, I was able to jump in the car and stomp on the brakes just in the nick of time. Literally inches away from the steps. It still gives me the goose bumps to think of what could have been.

But what was so amazing about the whole situation, again, was the grace and warmth she met me with when she opened the door to a fear-shaken photographer and tire treads on her front lawn. Just grace and a few friendly giggles. What an incredible legacy for these three children that is already shining through their sweet personalities. Happy Mothers Day, A — I hope you spend this weekend being celebrated for the great mamma that you are!