“Ezer”.  It is a Hebrew word that most of us know to be translated as “helper”.  In the bible it is the Hebrew word that describes Eve when she was created for Adam; Eve described to be Adam’s help mate, or “ezer”.  The interesting thing is if you look up the word “ezer”, you will see that in the Hebrew language it is always used in the sense of military ranking, a term denoting military strength.  So why is it used to describe woman when she was first created?

I am always nervous on the morning of a photo shoot.  Really it is a mixture of I-feel-like-I-am-going-to-Disneyland excitement, and I-hope-I-don’t-trip-on-a-first-date kind of nervousness.  But when T.T. opened the door to her beautiful new home, I felt an incredible sense of peace and calm wash over me.  At first I attributed the new found peace to the warm home and the sleeping newborn on the sofa that looked like an angel.  T.T. and I chatted, laughed, got to know each other, and along the way we took  some pictures of her beautiful new daughter.  The more I spent time with her in her home though, I realized it was not the gorgeous home, the warmth, or the presence of a newborn that was giving me such a feeling of tranquility.  It was T.T. herself.

Like a placid ocean with the sunrise reflecting off the water.  Everything about this women is beautiful, mellow, relaxed, and  calm.  But nothing about her presence is meek.  Like the ocean, she has an underlying strength that could take down ships and wash away cities.

As I got to know T.T. and heard about the trials and tragedies that she is overcoming in her life, I knew the strength I saw in her was real.  This woman exudes the strength of a warrior.

Last year I heard a speaker theorize that the reason the word “Ezer” is used to describe Eve in the bible is because, yes, woman are helpers, but we are also warriors.  That the term usually used for “helper” in Hebrew wouldn’t have been enough; a term was needed that includes an understanding that there is strength  and power with the helping.  That we too as woman serve in the great war of life, with the strength of a warrior inside our hearts.

If you have ever met a woman who has made it through tough times, endured great loss, seen the death of a child, or any other of life’s greatest tragedies, you would know upon meeting her that you are meeting a person of incredible strength and courage.  You know that you are meeting a warrior.

T.T. you are beautiful and strong in ways that takes my breath away.  You are an amazing woman.  You are a warrior.

Thank you for opening your home to me, inviting me into be a part of such a incredible and monumental time in your life, and sharing your journey with me.  You, your husband, and your daughter were all such a joy and I hope to see you more this year!