Blended, Beautiful, and Full of Heart: A Family Session That Showed Me What Healing Looks Like

There are some photo sessions that hit different—and this one with my dear friend Mikiele? Whew. It was more than just capturing smiles. It was a living, breathing testament to growth, healing, and the power of choosing peace.

I’ve known Mikiele since freshman year of high school. Our bond started in a pretty unforgettable way—she fell off a horse and ended up in a coma. I know, it sounds like something out of a movie. But even back then, she showed the kind of resilience that would come to define her. Born with hydrocephalus, Mikiele has faced more adversity than most, from physical challenges to navigating a world that often isn't built for people with disabilities. And yet, she has continued to show up—for herself, her daughter, her work, and now, this beautiful, blended family.

I had front row seats to one of the toughest chapters of her life: her divorce from her ex-husband, Wes. It was messy. It was painful. And it was real. Anyone who’s been through a divorce—especially with kids involved—knows the emotional gymnastics it takes just to make it through the day, let alone co-parent effectively. I’ve been there myself, just a few years after her. It’s a pain you don’t forget.

But this session? This session wasn’t about pain. It was about how far she’s come.

We gathered at a beautiful spot, and there they were: Mikiele, her daughter, Wes (yes, the ex), her current partner, and her partner’s daughter. If you had told 2019 or 2020 Mikiele that she’d be doing a photoshoot with that crew, she probably would’ve laughed (or cried... or both). But time is wild. Time heals. Time gives us the perspective we didn’t know we needed.

And what I witnessed through my lens was nothing short of magical.

Wes and Mikiele’s current partner? Chatting. Joking. Talking smack like old friends while I snapped away. The kids laughing together. Everyone showing up not out of obligation, but out of love—for the kids, and for each other in this new kind of family they’ve created. It was wholesome in every sense of the word.

It reminded me (again) that co-parenting doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be rooted in respect, empathy, and a shared commitment to putting the kids first. That’s exactly what this shoot showed me—what’s possible when people choose growth over bitterness, and healing over holding onto hurt.

I walked away from this session with my heart full, my cheeks sore from smiling, and a renewed sense of hope for all of us trying to navigate the aftermath of something as heavy as divorce. If you’re in the thick of it now—this is your reminder that there is peace on the other side. That healing is messy but worth it. And that yes, you can rebuild something beautiful, even after everything has been torn down.

Here’s to second chances, blended families, and showing up with love—camera in hand, heart wide open. 💛 xo Rachel