This will be my ongoing work to honor and lift up other women. All Women. Our bodies are amazing. They can grow and birth children. They can bear the weight of pain beyond measure. They can kiss booboos and light up a room for their little ones with only a smile. They can be up all night caring for another and rush out the door for work the next day. They can put their dreams on the back burner to help others thrive.

Women are are worthy. They are worthy of love. They are worthy of joy. They are worthy to have a voice.

Meet Erica

Erica and I met several years ago when I worked heavily with Northshore Birth Options. She was always a ray of light and forever charming. Erica and her husband, Lorenz, own an amazing chiropractic practice called Wellness in Motion. She is certified in pediatric, Webster technique (maternity care) and even ANIMALS (she even adjusted my cat) chiropratic. So basically she is incredibly skilled, talented and trained. Erica is also a Gold level distributer of Young Living oils. What’s more, she recently started another business to design and decorate homes which you can learn about HERE. Wowza. She also recently received her real estate license just because she loves all things “home”. The icing on the cake? Erica is about to change our little area of Louisiana to really help and secure a place of complete wellness when a new Wellness in Motion is built in Terra Bella in Covington, LA. I won’t spoil too much, but believe me, she and her husband are doing all that they can to give us all the pinnacle of health and resources.

I know that reads like an infinite amount of accolades and successes. That’s because it really is. That is only a smidgen of what I’ve learned about Erica. She is ambitious and passionate and it comes out in every venture and endeavor.

Erica also has three beautiful children. They are truly the apples of her eye. She has the sweetest story about how her heart longed for a third child. If you see her and have some time, I’m sure she’d be happy to share that with you. It really is one of the best stories around. Her love for her family is indescribable.

That is actually how I really came to know Erica. I was her birth photographer. In fact, I was able to photograph her pregnancy announcement, maternity photographs, birth, newborn and even all of her youngest child’s milestones. Through all of these moments, I’ve been lucky to grow and call her “friend”.

All of the shining star moments are lovely, but they don’t hold a candle to her character. Erica loves people. She loves to love people. She feels what people feel which is something I find invaluable. She meets people where they are to share hope, joy and love. She cares about hearts. She wants joy and good for all. I’ve never met anyone quite like her. She is forever on a journey to connect, nurture, and love on as many people as she can. It’s inspiring and tremendously hopeful.

Erica,

For the life me of, I don’t know how you do what you do. I don’t mean everything you fully invest your time and care into, but I don’t know how you purposefully love on so many unconditionally. Your spirit lights up the whole room. Your smile and humor uplift even the most down trodden. I’ve seen you lift up the person in the crowd that feels embarrassed or unwanted and leave them feeling valued and ready to spread joy to others like you shared with them. I don’t know how you do, but I’m so glad that you do.

To be honest, the world needs more Ericas in it. We need more people that love and wrecklessly spread optimism. We need more driven people wanting to change the world. We need people that can channel their passions and execute them beautifully to share all their dreams and wants this life has to give.

I know life isn’t perfect. I imagine that even someone as upbeat and bright as you has black rain clouds from time to time. I know being such a light to so many can probably leave you drained at times. I know it can for me. I hope you know that all the good and kind people that you value would rally and do the same for you in a heartbeat. That’s what is so magical about people. Every tidbit of joy that you’ve planted into so many will blossom. Those souls that are forever touched and changed because you poured so purposefully into them now can do the same for you and so many others.

You are leaving a legacy of change and gratitude through the community, friends, and most importantly your family. Those little souls that call you “mom” are so in love with you, friend. They think the sun rises and sets in their mother and that’s because they see how you love without restraint.

Thank you for all that you do. I know there are such glorious changes on the horizon. You deserve all of them and all the happiness. I can’t wait to see everything unfold for you, Lorenz, and your sweet little ones.

With all my love,

Erika

Special thanks to Full Moon Gardens in Abita Springs, LA for graciously letting us shoot at their location.