“Hey! How are you? Are you busy this weekend?”


At first, it felt like a normal text. The kind long-distance friends send when they’re coming into town and hoping to catch up. Dima, Rami, Alex, and I have always kept in touch that way, checking in whenever life slows down long enough to reconnect. It’s hard being far away from people whose company you genuinely enjoy, especially when they’ve been part of your life for so long. Rami has been a friend of ours since childhood, and when Dima came into his life, she fit so seamlessly that it felt like she had always been there too.


Then came the next message.


“We want to book a session.”


Now, as a photographer, you start to recognize when something special is coming. It wasn’t their anniversary. It wasn’t a birthday. There wasn’t another celebration on the calendar that I knew of. And suddenly, my heart started racing because I knew exactly what that meant.


Dima and Rami were expecting.


One of the most incredible parts of this job is being trusted with life’s biggest moments before the rest of the world knows. Being a secret keeper for pregnancy announcements and other milestones is something I will never take for granted. There’s a level of trust in that moment that feels both humbling and deeply special. Honored and blessed don’t even begin to cover it. In my excitement, I may or may not have completely ruined their plan to tell me in person by blurting out my guess over text. Thankfully, they forgave me, and I remained just as over the moon as they were.


When they flew into Chicago, we met at Gallery Park in Glenview that already held so much history for all of us. It was the same park where we took many of their wedding portraits back in 2021 when they were married at The Glen Club. Being back there together felt full circle in the sweetest way. We laughed, caught up like no time had passed at all, and I found myself marveling at how naturally they were stepping into this next season of life.


Dima and Rami are two of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet. They lead with warmth, patience, and genuine care for everyone around them. I like to joke that some of that comes from the southern charm of where they live now, but truthfully, it’s just who they are. Their love is steady and intentional, and watching them prepare to become parents felt like the most natural next chapter in their story.


Fast forward almost exactly a year later, and I finally got to meet their sweet little chick-a-dee. Baby M was everything you’d hope she’d be and more. The perfect mix of both of them. Calm, observant, and quietly taking in the world with her big beautiful eyes and long lashes. She watched everything around her, saving her biggest giggles for Mom and Dad. Seeing Dima and Rami step into parenthood felt effortless, not because it isn’t hard, but because they approach every season of life with grace and love. The same warmth and steadiness that defines their relationship now surrounds their daughter, and it’s beautiful to witness.


Getting to document these moments, almost exactly a year apart, is something I don’t take lightly. It’s a reminder of how quickly life changes and how important it is to celebrate every season along the way. The big announcements. The quiet in-between moments. The milestones that may feel small now but become everything later on. So here’s your reminder to celebrate it all. The wins, the growth, the new beginnings. Take the photos. Capture the memories. Because time moves quickly, and these moments deserve to be remembered.


Dima and Rami, thank you for your friendship, your trust, and for always welcoming me into your lives with open arms. Watching your story unfold from wedding day to baby snuggles has been such a joy, and I truly feel so lucky to have a front-row seat to these memories. You both carry so much kindness and warmth wherever you go, and now sweet Baby M gets to grow up surrounded by that same love. I adore your family, I cherish these moments we’ve captured together, and I cannot wait to see all the beautiful chapters still ahead for you. Thank you for letting me be part of your story. 🤍