Yesterday was a full day of photographing and then furniture shopping. I found the couch of my dreams at Restoration Hardware, but huz pulled me away from its hefty pricetag. I pouted for about a minute. But then we came back home feeling exhausted and relieved to recline on our own hand-me-down couch. Why is it the most comfortable thing I've sat on all day?

Anyway, I met Jennifer through Austin's words of admiration, and his belief that she is a living breathing miracle of God. Dateline NBC ran a story on her life-altering accident when she was hit by a car while crossing a crosswalk in front of her high school. Articles have been written about her recovery and these were their words:

"Her body was thrown and her head hit the windshield with such force that her brain shifted half an inch."

"Jennifer remained in a coma for five weeks after several brain surgeries, and neurologists began speculating whether she'd be in a persistent vegetative state. But the strong-willed teen seized the slim chance doctors gave her. She not only came out of her coma, but started responding, even smiling at her family, who credit their unrelenting faith in God for keeping them strong throughout this ordeal and the months to come."
 
Years after the accident, Jen turned 24 and she is still celebrating what she calls her "bonus life." After Austin and I moved to the valley, I have been getting to know her better. She keeps me from being lonely. Her genuineness grounds me. Her sense of humor makes me laugh and the joy in her smile is nothing but disarming. She kicks my butt at the Y, and well, sometimes I flake on her because I can't keep up.

I decided to photograph her because... this is the way I see her. I often envisioned her just like this. I think she's so beautiful and I might not tell her that in person because she's too humble to hear it.

Austin may have been a bit shocked when he woke up and saw the living room looking like this. I did it while he was asleep. Haha! Happy Birthday Jen.