The Story Behind The Picture

It’s a beautiful picture that will take your breath away. It may seem like your typical family portrait, but if you look closely, you’ll notice a special addition. Two silhouettes of are joining me, Ryan and Peyton. Our talented photographer, Teran, created a picture with all three of our triplets. It really is a magical moment, that gave me chills and brought me to tears the moment I first saw it.
I shared it on Facebook one week ago and was blown away by the response. I knew this would get people talking, but I didn’t realize how it would touch so many of you in the same way it touched me. I read through hundreds of comments and teared up as people saw things that I hadn’t noticed at first. Abby has pigtails, just like her identical sister, Peyton. Parker has a hat, a similar look to his Nicu days, as he sported his special knit hats for all of his nearly two months of life. As one friend said perfectly, “A picture really can say a thousand words.”
So what’s the story behind the photo? It came about only a month ago. A few friends and viewers had sent me a picture that was circulating on the internet of a family who had lost their twins.  Every time I received a new message, I chuckled because it was just so fitting: we already had our family photos scheduled for that week. Talk about perfect timing! When I mentioned it to our photographer, she instantly knew what I was talking about. She said, “We’ll take some photos and see if I can work some magic.” But after seeing this picture, I know she didn’t have to work too much magic. Teran was able to put silhouettes of Parker and Abby into the picture during editing, but it’s easy to see this picture was meant to be. As Teran mentions on her photography page, everything lined up perfectly. We were taking a stroll with Peyton and our dog, Riley. Peyton just happened to look over smiling and it sure looks like she is grinning at Abby and Parker. And as Teran mentions, “I didn’t tell Stacey to put her hand out like that. Actually as I was editing this, I had tears rolling down when I realized this sweet momma had her hand out.”
The picture is something I will cherish forever. It will be made into a canvas and will hang proudly in our home for everyone to see. For the past two and a half years, I have pictured what it would be like to have all three of my triplets together. I watch Peyton as she plays independently and can’t help but wonder what it would be like if Abby and Parker were playing with her. It’s something I will always wonder; it’s a part of being a parent of angels. But for the first time since my children were born, I can actually see them together, walking along with their mom and dad…a perfect family of 5 (and dog!).
To top things off, these pictures were taken by someone who understands me. Teran is a fellow triplet mom, her trio arrived about two months before mine. We are in the same triplet Facebook group of moms who all gave birth in 2013. We finally met in person on this beautiful September evening and it felt like we had that instant bond. Even though two of my triplets are angels, through this picture she reminds me, “once a triplet mom, always a triplet mom.”

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Teran Elaine Photography is based in Central Illinois. Click the link to see her amazing work: Teran Elaine Photography
To follow Stacey and her family, click the link and “LIKE” the page: Stacey Skrysak’s Facebook Page