Last Wednesday I experienced probably the most beautiful act of love I will ever see in my life. I watched my best friend give birth to her second baby boy. I truly regretted missing this the first time around and have been kicking myself since. Even this time it was the day I was going to be leaving for the Outer Banks for a wedding so it was cutting close – luckily I only got a 4 hour late start which was just fine by me because I wasn’t missing this for anything.

I was totally surprised that I felt an incredible high from being present as I watched Jules bring a new life into the world, but even days later, as I’m editing those photos, I’m absolutely enthralled as I live through the experience again. Birth is truly an amazing thing! And for those of you who are wondering – yes I cried like a baby right behind my camera. It was more beautiful and emotional than watching baby story on TLC.

This is Julie pacing the hallways. Her pain here was a 4 – definitely would have been my 10.

Free movies man!

I love this shot. Julie has an amazing husband and sister.

Impatient daddy.

When Jules told me Jakob’s birth story, she mentioned a woman who she described as her guardian angel who came in the room only during the birth and whispered into Julie’s ear. Well, I watched the same thing happen this time. And it is so funny, I saw her only during the birth and never even around the halls or anything after. She really is a guardian angel. I did have a chance to tell her that part of Jakob’s birth story and she said it meant to much to her and makes all of her job worth it.

Such little hands! And fingernails!

I think this is when I was most giddy and crying, when Jakob came in to meet his little brother for the first time!

He was all smiles!

And Jaxon even brought him a cool truck!

This is right after Julie told her dad that Jaxon’s middle name is Kenneth, after him.

I’m so grateful for Jules’ sister, Melissa, she knows how to use a camera for sure. So excited I got to hold him too!!