Max – Daniela – Noah – Naia
Four of the coolest humans I know, and most certainly the most beautiful family I know.
Max is quiet and solemn, but strong and sturdy. Noah is a force of nature, definitely enjoying the freedom of his age. Naia is sweet and soft, quiet like her father, beautiful like her mother. And Daniela, she’s one of my soulmates. Fierce and determined and everything I aspire to be.
I met Daniela not long ago over a project I started. It’s still in the works, so I won’t give out too many details. But it centers around mental health and human experience. I met Daniela online in one of my wedding photography circles. Just a few weeks later I drove to her beautiful home in Asheville and interviewed her. We talked about her life in Venezuela, how she left, met her husband Max, started their family, and all the details in between. It’s those details in between that open your heart – the way her father died, her postpartum depression, the road to recovery.
We quickly connected and became good friends. Vulnerability has a strange way of drawing people together. It can feel scary and empowering all at the same time. I knew what I was looking for when I started this project, but I didn’t realize the impact it would have on me. Meeting people who actually understand – finally! – I’m not alone. I’m not crazy. There are others.
Daniela is a beautiful storyteller. Her art leaves me speechless at times. And her strength, her confidence, I admire it. I’m not sure where this project is going or what’s going to come of it, but if it brings me to more souls like Daniela, I’m never quitting.
-Tessa
