How lucky are we that we get two types of family. A family we are born with and a family we get to choose! These people, Jake, Katelyn, and now Chase, are part of my chosen family. Jake is the brother of one of my best friends, Nicole, who also happens to be my second shooter on wedding days! I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Jake a bit while being around him for the past few years. Watching him find the love of his life, Katelyn, and then becoming a father has been amazing!

I remember finding out that Jake and Katelyn were pregnant. At their family’s lake house, all of their closest family members surrounded them. It was the perfect time to tell everyone all at once and Jake lead the announcement! Imagine approximately 20 of your dearest family members all erupt in pure shock and joy at their news. So many hugs were exchanged and smiles lit up the side of the lake in celebration!

Fast forward a few months and at that very lake house, during 4th of July weekend, Jake and Katelyn got engaged! Again, they were surrounded by family and friends to toast in this life changing moment! I was also able to photograph this moment for them so that they would always have a vivid memory of when she said YES!

About 6 months or so after that, Chase James made his grand entrance into the world during a pandemic. Talk about whirlwind of a year for these two! Chase arrived on January 13th, which also happens to be my brother’s birthday just after 2:00 in the afternoon! Weighing in at 7 lbs 6 oz this little cutie was added to the Murphy roster!

If you know anything about Jake and Katelyn you know they are huge sports people! Naturally Chase’s nursery was all about sports and of course, Nike Jordan sneakers.If only shoes could grow in size with us, he’d be set for life! Watching Jake and Katelyn jump into the parenting roll and adding a fourth grandchild to their loving family has been an absolute treat!