Sahalie
So Much Joy with Sahalie, our Unicorn Princess
After a two month break it was SO GOOD to be back in the studio, and 3-year-old Sahalie was the perfect little sweetie to kick off our sessions in 2025.
Sahalie had a rocky entrance into the world. She was born prematurely and with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, so her chances of survival were slim. Her birth parents were unable to care for her, so once she was ready to leave the hospital at three months old, her foster and now adopted family, took her into their home to join their family.
She’s had two heart surgeries already, and while another is still in her future, Sahalie exudes pure confidence and delight, and we got to witness that first hand at our session.
As she entered the studio with her family, she was quickly dazzled by the sets and props awaiting her, and she had her eye on the prettiest unicorn cookies. But first, she hopped into the makeup chair to enjoy a glam session with the lovely and talented Lindsi Boss. Once hair and makeup were done, mom and sisters helped her change into her beautiful unicorn ballgown. As her sisters escorted her onto the sets, Sahalie BEAMED with joy.
As we began our session, Sahalie happily posed and played in front of our sparkly unicorn set, including a unicorn balloon that was taller than her.
Soon her sisters and parents joined in on the fun.
Our little Unicorn Princess enjoyed twirling with her dad, spreading bubbles around, and blowing bubbles in her sister's face.
At just the right time, she decided she was done with her first outfit and ready for her next!
Once again, her family escorted her back to change into her darling personalized unicorn T-shirt from Hood and Pine Boutique. Lindsi touched up her hair, adding some Unicorn Snot to keep her sparkly unicorn hair in place.
This time, Sahalie settled into a cozy unicorn tent to snuggle with a giant stuffed unicorn. She played and charmed us with all of her charisma and spunk.
Her sweet sisters joined her and read her a unicorn story. These sisters have such a special bond with each other, and it was so beautiful to capture their joy and adoration for each other throughout the session.
As our session came to a close, we of course had to dig into those amazing custom-made cookies by Honey from the Rock Bakery. Then we hopped in front of our Inspirational Words Banner for a couple final pictures.
Sahalie and her family were an absolute DELIGHT to work with. She had us laughing and playing all session long.
After the session, Sahalie’s mom shared with us, “When Sahalie walked in and saw the extravagant room set up and all of the people there to greet her, it was the most precious pure excitement I have ever seen her have. I am not sure I have ever experienced that much joy in one room…I loved how you included her sisters, they were having just as much fun as she was! It was such a memorable experience for our whole family!
It was also an amazing ‘God wink’ that you had made a playlist of music for her session that began with ‘Dancing on the Waves’! I started singing that song to her from the first time I met her. I spent a week in the hospital with her to learn how to care for her needs…we had a lot of time stuck in a little hospital room attached to all kids of tubes and monitors, so I would sing to her a lot. This particular song was ‘her song.’ The words are so perfect, straight from the heart of Jesus.”
It’s safe to say everyone left the session feeling filled up with joy. We’re so thankful for such a wonderful start to the year, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for our sessions in 2025.
Special thanks to…
We had three brand new volunteers join our team, to round out an incredible room of joyful, willing, servant hearts. A huge thank you to Audrey Arthur, Kelly Bates, Lindsi Boss, Lauren Carter, Mary Beth Davis, Elly Eggleston, Nancy Finsaas, Kristina Gershom, Kathi Hammer, Liz Long, and Carol Thompson.
Lindsi Boss pampered Sahalie with her hair and makeup glam time - unicorn snot and all.
Honey from the Rock Bakery made the most incredibly beautiful (and delicious!) unicorn cookies for our session.
Jessica Healow of Hood and Pine Boutique created and gifted Sahalie’s personalized unicorn t-shirt.
So many of YOU donated props from our Amazon list that we used for the photo shoot and gifted to Sahalie.
Mapel Boutique and Mad Sass Soap Co. collaborated to create and donate incredible gift boxes filled with luxurious bath and body products for the moms of ROHP sessions to enjoy for days and weeks to come.
Pretty Good Printing created and donated the Inspirational Words backdrop we get to use in all our sessions.
And a special thank you to Kari Timmerman, for designing graphics and the personalized invitations we send to all ROHP kids before their sessions.
