Do you have a person in your life who is not necessarily related to you but just feels like family? Someone you can laugh hysterically with, confide in and completely trust? Someone you are just so blessed to have in your life? Well, Sonya is my person.

Exactly one year ago, Sonya was diagnosed with an aggressive invasive metastatic mammary carcinoma, a fast-growing type of breast cancer. You may remember I hosted mini sessions last year to raise money for her treatment & recovery. Very recently, the doctors found that the rare cancer has metastasized to her brain, with at least 10 tumors seen on the scan.

I’ve known Sonya and her family for about 20 years now as we were neighbors! Her daughter Haley and I grew up together and whenever I went to Haley’s house to hang out, I could spend hours talking to Sonya! Age difference aside, we’ve always related to each other so well and I cherish our friendship.

Sonya has been a lot of things to me in 20 years. My neighbor, my friends mom, my confidant, my realtor, my property manager. My friend. More importantly, she is an amazing mother, sister and friend to all who meet her. She truly cares about others and has a heart of gold. When she laughs, you laugh. Joy overcomes you when you are around her. Everyone needs someone like Sonya in their lives.

We had an 15 minute impromptu session at a neighborhood park to capture Sonya with her sweet kids Haley & Brandon and her sister Cindy. It was terribly hot, the mosquitoes were unforgiving but Sonya did not complain ONE BIT. She simply wanted pictures with her family. Can you believe her spirit?? She’s gone through so much and still doesn’t complain about anything. Treatments, side effects, bad news… NOTHING is ruining her spirit, NOTHING stops that bright smile from beaming across her face.

What an inspiration. Sonya is a free-spirited woman of faith, courage, hope, selflessness, bravery, compassion, optimism… and the list goes on but I have to get to these pictures! Sonya, I love you so much, I thank you for being in my life and I know God you will get through this. I pray for you each and every day day <3

If you’d like to donate to Sonya’s treatment & recovery, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/bstwaw

“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12.