Eden
New Jersey

Tucked away on a quiet back road, the home Jade and Ryan have spent the past two years renovating, feels like all the best parts of childhood.

An American flag flies from their white rocking chair-ed porch and while Ryan laughs, 2 year old Sage runs to show me her desk *a very good looking flat boulder in the back yard*, saying,

“It’s just like Daddy’s!”

Together they fill up the bird feeder that hangs from the tree outside their kitchen. Before work begins, many mornings are spent with Sage pressed against the window of the breakfast nook, announcing the arrival of a “tufted titmouse.”

In the corner of their yard, Jade-stunning-allows me to photograph her against the trees. She is grace and strength, and Ryan, watching his wife from behind the camera, tells her how beautiful she is. I agree fully.

Across the road, Jade holds Sage’s sunhat, and they explore down by the creek dipping their toes in the water, until Ryan finds a crawdad and Sage pokes it with tiny curious fingers. No fear, just wonder.

We end the morning in their kitchen. Window light falls on the breakfast nook, and before I leave, Jade places their wedding album on the dining room table, to show me the wedding portraits I shot for them just 3 years ago.

She glances up holding her belly, watching Ryan piggyback their sweet girl around the dining room table. In this house they’ve build together, she shakes her head and smiles.