Cahow Family – Destination Philadelphia Family Session

This is one amazing family! I have known how fantastic Janet is for about thirty years, but only recently have I met the men in her life. When she invited me to come and visit her, along with our friends Kim and Sam, and then asked me to also take her family’s portraits, I jumped at the chance! Spend a week in Philadelphia and get to spend time with some of my favorite woman and finally get to meet these Cahow men… ABSOLUTELY! I was not disappointed either! These are very busy boys, but when we did get a few hours together, it was really wonderful!

To understand Eric, Jay, Jack, and David, I believe you first need to know about the woman who has created the beautiful home where they live and the family they are a part of (Eric is included in that too!). First of all, Janet must be one of the funniest people I have ever met. Whenever we spend time together I laugh and laugh and laugh! Witty, honest, authentic, generous, and kind, she is full of life. We were close friends back when we were single many years ago and she was also one of my bridesmaids, but then we lost touch over the years and communicated mainly through social media and Christmas cards. What a waste of years! Now that we have reconnected, I am so grateful! She brings so much flavor to every life she touches!

I had never met Janet’s husband until this trip and he is such an amazing guy! There are few men that would be a match for Janet because she is such a phenomenal human being, but Eric suits her perfectly. He is highly intelligent (he has a PhD!) but he’s do easy and fun to talk to! No wonder Janet loves him so much. Their loving and generous spirit is so evident by the choices they have made over the years regarding their family. Even though Eric and Janet could not have children of their own, they opened their lives and their hearts to these three beautiful boys. With no reservation and with great enthusiasm, they brought Jay home first and then over the next couple of years Jack and David joined the Cahow family. Beautiful babies and now goregeous young men. Loved by their parents deeply and completely. Families are made from love and this family is full of it.

Each of these boys have such unique personalities and each of them are such characters! I only got to talk with them briefly during the time that I was in Philadelphia but I have heard so much about each of them from their mother over the last couple of years. Jay tends to be a little more reserved than his brothers, but when he gets on the football field he shines so brightly! I have watched videos of him flying through the air with incredible grace and determination. Jack is very robust, kind, and loves to help anyone in need. His personality just seems to explore out of him. David is a risk taker and highly motivated to do all things well. Most of all, the thing about these young men that they have a softer side even though they are great athletes. I love the stories of the sweet things that they are capable of saying and their desire to pull the family together. Teenage boys are rascals and these guys are no exception, but at their core they are truly exceptional young men.

Eric and Janet are devoted to their sons’ activities, with Janet even being committed to being the team photographer down on the football field and Eric bundled up against the fridgid Philadelphia cold, cheering loudly from the stands. They are so proud of their boys and they should be! I know how hard it is to raise teenagers and Eric and Janet and fighting hard to give these three the very best they can possibly give them. Amazing parents and amazing people!