{event} The Haugk Triplets

“Are you sitting down?”

That was the first thing Kristen asked me when I answered the phone. I knew she had a doctor's appointment, and when I looked down at my phone and saw that she was calling while I was in the middle of teaching a class, I knew it was something urgent. Sitting down quickly, heart racing, I held my breath as she told me everything was healthy and good...she also told me that there were three heartbeats on the ultrasound. The first thing I thought to scream was “HOLY SHIT!!” but couldn’t in front of a room of 29 7th graders. Trying to act composed (and also keep my job), I walked out into the hallway where Kristen was able to tell me what they knew and what the doctor told them.

The beginning of the Haugk’s journey with the triplets was absolutely amazing...and each day, each milestone became more and more astounding. It was also very terrifying.

Kristen and Eric did not find out the sex of the babies, but they knew there were many risks to this pregnancy as two of the triplets were mono/mono twins and the third was a fraternal triplet.

In the first ultrasound Kristen sent, the triplets looked like little gummy bears, and so that’s what I called them throughout her whole pregnancy. From day one, the gummy bears were miraculous...but what was also miraculous was my best friend. I watched Kristen navigate her pregnancy with the triplets with grace, faith and strength like I’ve never seen. There were many sacrifices and difficult decisions Kristen and Eric had to make, but always knowing and doing what was necessary and best for their family.

From the first time I saw the three of them in the ultrasound picture, I was in love with them… and then on April 24, 2020, just a few days before the planned C-Section, the gummy bears made their way into the world. Eric Shepard, Summer Ann, and Tatum Ann were perfect. The girls were the mono/mono twins and Shep was the fraternal twin! They were so tiny...the fiercest warriors.

Just like that, the Haugks went from three to a half dozen kids.

Kristen asked me to take photos for the triplets' first birthday party, "Welcome to the Jungle"- a year celebrating this triumphant trio, who keep us all believing in miracles and continue to thrive.

The party was so much fun: a room full of kids, family and so much love. It has been an absolute joy watching them grow and spoiling them with love. As always, we laughed a lot and there was not one minute that went by where we weren't all reminded how beautiful life is.

If you told me 25 years ago that we’d have 9 kids in 6 years between the two of us….I’d probably believe you. Kristen and I have been through everything together and I was so honored to capture another amazing moment in her family's life. Their story was and still is incredible.

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful family and another reminder that God is good, we need to start inviting more adults to our parties, my sense of smell is impeccable, and there will always be bows to tie. I love you.