With my dad's health declining, my visits to Minnesota have increased over the summer to spend time with him. While it's convenient at times to be a photographer, it has been unbelievably helpful to capture these times together as a family so we can remember them for years to come. 

About a month ago (I'm so behind with these photos!), my Uncle Mark and Aunt Lu made the trip from Maryland to spend time with my parents in Minnesota. I was thrilled to get a flight up there the same week, because I've met my Aunt and Uncle only about 5-6 times in my life and I'm always looking for more excuses to hang out with my family! 

Mark is my dad's older brother and although they've spent the majority of their adult lives living in separate states, the similarities in mannerisms, speech, and thought processes between the two of them are mesmerizing! 

At this point in early September, dad was in good enough health to be able to spend hours reconnecting with Mark and Lu. There were so many laughs shared and tears shed together.  

My family is no small party (23 total with another one on the way!), so when we gather together to visit we sort of take over the house. Mom has never complained though, and the kids don't seem to mind... :) 

Always thinking like a photographer, I convinced Mark and Lu to allow me to take five minutes before one of our adventures and capture their love for each other. 

After pastoring a church for over 20 years, and spending their lives caring for people, they're entering into a new season of retirement together as a couple. 

I was so thankful to be able not only catch up with them, but to see my dad and his brother catch up on many years of life. Family is such a beautiful gift. 

If you want to stay up to date with my dad's seven-year journey with cancer, you can visit his CaringBridge by clicking here. We're so thankful for all of your thoughts and prayers! 

It had been a long, emotional month for all of us. With dad's most recent scan revealing additional cancer and the doctor's lack of options, mom and dad are faced with an unknown future. Last weekend, along with my four siblings and their families, Sunil and I made a trip up to Minnesota to spend time with my parents. The house was loud and gloriously full with eleven grandkids (and two grand-puppies!) under foot, as the rest of us casually fell into conversations that varied from memories of our childhood, to questions about how mom and dad met and fell in love, to unhoped for but inevitable plans for the future which seems to loom large ahead of us. 

Being the photographer of the family, my heart longs to document each moment - happy or sad - to wrap up and hold forever. It's why I choose to carry my camera and photograph the surgeries, the pain, the chemo, the conversations, the radiation, and the tears that often accompany it all. With that in mind, I convinced my beautifully photogenic parents to allow me to document their love as it exists during this emotional season of life. 

In typical Minnesotan fashion, the weather was sunny and brisk - a mere 45 degrees. But it allowed me to convince them to snuggle close without complaint. 

My parent's property sits on a corner lot with barely an acre, but having spent 20 years of my life exploring our yard, we were able to find the perfect nooks with the mostly lovely sunset light. 

This is how I remember my parents best. Especially since photos of them curled up like this are my favorites from our last photo shoot together almost four years ago. Just look at how cute they are! 

My mother carries such strength in her eyes. Strength to keep fighting, to keep hoping, and to go on one more day....

And to look straight into the unknown future.