Maui Grown

Yesterday I got to photograph a glowing and pregnant Ari (and Jake’s hands, occasionally. Thanks for letting us use those rugged, farm-dirtied, model-hands for a few! Your hands are naturals.) It is pretty wild to see the woman I met as a girl back at Hebrew school (I dabbled for a minute) and danced alongside in high school (lies, she was way better than me) with a gorgeous baby bump, but honestly it looks so natural on her. When she giggles, her belly giggles, as if her baby is laughing along with her. It is pretty magical. Women are the coolest. They are the life-givers and creators. They are all my heroes.

Speaking of creators, Lauren of Hawai’i Flora Fauna created THE most mana-filled, epically stunning, all-native and foraged lei for Ari, and I’m so obsessed. She wove colorful pieces of Maui into wearable art - bright bursts of Ohia, lush Maile, Iliahi, Olapa, Palapalai, Ama’u, Mao, Ohelo, Pa’iniu, A’ali’i (do I sound super knowledgeable? Cool, because I definitely had to ask her for all the names. I really need to step up my native plant knowledge game).

Another creative lady who offered her talents is Kayla Shepherd. In ten minutes she accentuated Ari’s pregnancy-glow, utilizing her self-taught make-up skills to help this mama-to-be feel as feminine and beautiful as she truly is.

Collaborating with these Seabury Hall alumni ladies was so much fun and so inspiring. Girls, women, everyone—don’t forget that we are all stronger together. Let’s support each other, lift each other up, and help each other grow.

Anyways, mazel tov, Ari and Jake! You two are going to be such amazing parents, teachers, guardians, nurturers, and role models.