I greeted Diana at the door for our scheduled photo shoot. I opened the door and greeted her with a hug of excitement. Her exotic look and expressive personality had me anticipating our time together. To say I was excited; an understatement. Surprised she had someone with her, I introduced myself while thinking chivalry still lives! I stood there making small talk while I learned this was Diana’s boyfriend and watched him make several trips carrying all her items. After years of not talking since High School, they shared their romantic story reconnecting on Facebook.

We say good-bye and Diana and I start walking to the studio. I am sensing something isn’t feeling “right.” You know how your body is screaming to you from the inside, but your brain counterbalances and begins telling you all sorts of lies to keep the peace. As we set up, I ask, “Diana, are you okay?”

“No,” she responds with a look of terror, the fear in her eyes seeking acknowledgment, someone to meet her and validate it would all be okay. I listen as she begins sharing the story about an unwanted lump that has invaded her breast and the pain that climbs into her armpit. The FEAR was thick like a heavy fog sucking any love out of the room! I knew in that moment, as I exhaled, “oh honey, I am so sorry,” and covered in goosebumps, that this moment was part of something bigger? She didn’t know that I, too, had breast cancer. The boobs erupting from my sweater weren’t the breast that breastfed my two babies. The originals were taken from me, and standing there; I relived those feelings of loss as I listened to this beautiful, exotic young woman describe the fear, the questions, and the pain. I couldn’t stop thinking about what to say. Mulling over, do I tell her it will be okay even though I know nothing about her situation? OR do I share a bit of my story so she can see what can come from a difficult situation? I wanted to gift her hope as she was grasping for security, certainty and that all would be okay.

Our time together was perfect, healing, and not by accident! In her images, I captured the feelings of Diana embracing her breasts and the uncertainty of the future. She teared up with the thought of losing them and I teared up behind the lens as the shutter clicked away. I wanted to make it all the better for her and lighten her load, but at the moment, I offered to document her moment in history because this moment would never be the same.

Life is interesting. We, teachers to one another that neither of us knew of our assignment until that moment in time. These images are fulfilling to my heart. This day will always hold a special place in my life. You can see the pain and fear as you look into her eyes. While they may be too painful for her to view now, I hope she can look back and find a gift in our time together.

An update on Diana. She has been diagnosed with cancer, undergone multiple surgeries and currently healing at home. I invite you to send her PRAYERS and LOVE. Life is precious and feels a little easier if we all stand together. God bless you, Diana, and remember to receive all the love coming your way.

XOXO Jennifer