Love comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. I have love for things like my jewelry. I show love for my Alma Mater, the University of Miami. I have discovered a love for exercise, Zumba (more of an obsession). I fell in love with my husband, Brandon, and that continues to grow daily. I learned about a love bigger than anything I have ever known, my daughter, Olivia. I have fallen out of love and I learned I need to be loved. Love is a thought, a feeling, an expression. It is timeless. It is epic. It will take your breath away and sometimes break your heart. Love is something we all deserve... even the forgotten ones.
My husband and I have a photography business, Smith Photography, and most recently, we were asked to shoot an event for Our Kids. The Heroes for Our Kids 2013, held at the Miami Children's Museum, was celebrating foster and adoptive parents, and community members who have made significant differences in the lives of children across Miami-Dade. The event drew a large crowd of over 500 guests. I have never witnessed more love in one room, than I had that day. Kids were running around learning and discovering new adventures across the museum. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, only-children, staff, and volunteers ALL had smiles on their faces. I never saw a child get scolded by their parent's. No parents were slumped over on a bench. Parents were smiling, engaging, laughing, and photographing their children having fun. Parents wanted to participate in the activities with their kids. It was a day to celebrate. Everyone under that roof, had found someone to love.
Later that day, community leaders, children, teens, and families gathered for the award ceremony, eager to learn about the nominees and winner. William Presswood, a foster-parent, a true hero in my eyes, took home the title of Foster/Adoptive Parent of the Year. "Mr. Presswood takes in hard to place youth. These teen boys face challenges such as run-aways, aggressive personalities, substance abuse, among others. He gives these boys vacations, is heavily involved in their education, transports them to and from medical appointments, and outings. His son, Edwin, was seventeen when Mr. Presswood asked for permission to adopt him. His son said it was the day he felt his life began." (Our Kids website). Mr. Presswood, including all the nominees, left a lasting impact on all the families, including Brandon and I; there wasn't a dry eye in that room. We were all strangers to each other, yet each family shared a common bond, a love they had found in a child.
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| Awards |
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| Mr. Presswood receiving his award and a lot of love from his son. |
A call to God, fertility issues, or a big heart, whatever the reasons may be, these parents took the leap of faith, and invited a new family member in. Some temporarily, and some indefinitely. The love between a parent and an adoptive child is indescribable: Its appreciation, love, admiration, thankfulness... it's a true hero. While I may not know the true depth and meaning of what it feels to be an adoptive or foster parent, I do know it is in my future. I was beyond honored to capture the love that filled the museum that day. I will never know what it truly feels like to be an adoptive child, however it speaks volumes about the parent. My eyes have been opened and I have learned, love can come from anyone and anywhere if we open our hearts to a child in need.
To learn more about adoption/fostering a child, or volunteer opportunities, I invite you to visit the Our Kids website.
