Yep, we have a winner!!!!
After many deserving stories, and let me tell you, this choice was very very tough!!!! Unfortunately, only one can win!
Here’s the story that was sent in for this incredibly lovely lady! (Some names have been changed or altered to make this story clear and/or for privacy reasons.)
“I first met Rachel a few years ago in her capacity as a horse-back riding instructor at a Riding Center, where my husband was taking lessons. She had been recommended as the best instructor there, and she certainly was awesome at it. She is always fun and creative in her lessons, even with the difficult students (and horses). Rachel has been teaching there every Sunday for at least 7 years now and she also runs the summer camps. For a few months, I signed on as an instructor there too, and while it is a paid position, it was barely enough to cover the cost of gas to get there most of the time. Rachel does it because she loves it but unfortunately even if she worked there full-time it would not provide sufficient income for even the most frugal lifestyle.
Rachel’s primary job is as a teacher’s aid at a Montesorri school. Last year, she was assigned to a high school boy named Phil with autism and other disabilities which impacted his motor skills. Her job was to help Phil through out the school day with his assignments and day-to-day needs. She would go with him to his work-study job and help with basic tasks like sharpening pencils. Because of her patience and commitment to doing her best for Phil, she became friends with his mother and would occasionally go to dinner with the two of them.
This year Rachel is assigned to a middle school girl who is legally blind and she is working to coordinate the technology that makes it possible for her to see textbooks and assignments. Earlier this month the school took the students on a camping trip and Rachel took her student kayaking. Rachel drives her own car for field trips like this and does not get reimbursed by the school for the gas or mileage. On one of these days, upon arrival at the campsite, an hour away, Rachel was asked to drive a boy back home to Cincinnati after causing some trouble on the bus. She took him home and then returned to the campsite. The boy was so thankful for her kindness to him during the drive back that he wrote her a thank you note for it.
Even with these two jobs, which keep her busy six days a week, Rachel’s income is barely enough to cover her rent, bills and groceries. She is a single mother in her early 30’s with a 7 year old son named Justin. Justin is a very sweet boy, but he also has ADHD which has led to significant challenges for him in school and at home. About a year ago, Rachel decided to make some big changes to allow her to focus more time on Justin and save money. She found wonderful new homes for her two horses and moved into her grandmother’s home in Hamilton, OH. (Her grandmother passed away and her dad inherited the house.) Giving up the horses was a huge sacrifice – they are like children and Rachel’s life would revolve around horses if it were possible for her. Somehow she has managed to live frugally enough to pay off all her credit cards and save up an emergency fund.
Rachel could definitely use a professional photography session. She doesn’t own a camera of her own and most of the photos she has of herself were taken of her at work in her capacity as a riding instructor. I would love for her to have some wonderful photos of her and her son. I think it would give her a real emotional boost to see herself at her best, and I know she can often use a bit of a boost. She works very hard to make those around her happy but she rarely does anything for herself.”
The person who submitted this story is Bianca! She’s been on here before, remember this beautiful face?
Rachel just won my heart with this story. Part of it is because my mom is a teacher and was a single mother. Another part of it is because I totally LOVE horses too! I think that combination just won my heart (and anyone who Bianca nominates is totally legit!) and now we have a winner!
I can’t wait to meet you Rachel! This is going to be a really great session!
With lots of love and excitement,
Isa
So, here it goes! (Actually, I do this every year – it’s just that the need has always been presented to me, so I don’t post it, but this year – I don’t have one of these weddings on the books!)
