Randi + Josh

A lot more than the big day

Randi and Josh’s story began 5 years ago…

with a whirlwind romance, and a violent car accident.

They survived and celebrated with a beautiful wedding, and dreams of a bright future. However, the following few years would be marred by unexplained infertility, miscarriages, and finally the most traumatic nightmare of all, the loss of their infant child, Spencer.

It was September of 2015 when Randi and Josh went on their first date. It was one of those perfect autumn days and they met for a walk, around a wooded parkland where they strolled under blue skies and a colourful canopy of changing leaves. Fast forward to, a little over a year later, and Randi and Josh would be in front of my camera as a, ‘soon-to-be married’ couple, where I had the privilege of capturing their engagement photography session.

This had been another perfect day, albeit a little later in the season, so the air was crisper and the leaves were now crunching beneath us, but Randi and Josh’s smiles were warm and genuine. They were cute and playful in front of the camera, which made my job easy, and you would never have known that they had been in a near fatal car crash, just 4 months prior.

Josh had surprised Randi in July 2016, with a trip to Florida for her 30th birthday. They had just barely begun their long car journey home, when they were involved in a head-on collision and had to be air lifted out to the Miami Trauma Center. Randi spent 4 days in the ICU. When she was transferred out Josh was waiting with a marriage proposal, knowing now, more than ever, that he never wanted to lose Randi. She said yes!

Now that they were both too well aware of the fragility of life, and how much can change in a second, they decided not to delay, but to plan and marry just a few months later in November.

I was fortunate enough to photograph, not only their engagement session, but also their big day!

They had an intimate, Jewish ceremony at Or Shalom…

…followed by a fantastic party and huge celebration!

We squeezed in a portrait session, at sunset, where I took them to a lake-side, venue and park, reminiscent again of their first date. Josh dazzled that day in a top hat and cane, while Randi charmed in a classic white gown, looking almost regal and like the pinnacle of elegance.

I wish I could say that they lived “happily ever after”, but sadly Randi & Josh’s story would take another turn for the worse. After struggling to get pregnant and then suffering multiple miscarriages, Randi gave birth to beautiful, baby boy, Spencer. I personally remember the day they were taking him home! I was at the same hospital with my wife, who was having her pre-natal, 30-week ultrasound. We overheard Randi Deskin’s name being called over the public address system. I messaged her and she excitedly replied, exclaiming that they were about to head home with their new baby boy. Little did we all know that baby Spencer’s time on earth would be so limited. Randi and Josh unexpectedly lost their precious first-born, just 10 days later.

Spencer Julius Landau - 2019

No words can describe the amount of pain and suffering that this caused and will continue to cause them. Yet despite the depths of their despair, Randi and Josh have proven once again just how resilient they really are, individually and as a couple.

Since Spencer’s passing last year, Randi and Josh have chosen to use their experience to help others, by speaking openly and publicly about their grief and even starting an “all men’s” grief support group, which was something they discovered was lacking in their community. They are also keeping the legacy of Spencer Julius Landau alive with an endowment fund at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. They have already raised over $125,000, which will go directly to the needs of PICU. The paediatric intensive care unit is a place where no parent wants to EVER find them self. However, the reality is, it’s a place in high demand. Spencer’s fund will help to support, maintain and even elevate the high level of care, and resources available for the sick children and their guardians. Anyone can help support this cause by donating here:

https://fondationduchildren.com/en/fundraising/the-spencer-julius-landau-little-warrior-endowment-fund - It only takes a few minutes.

Today Randi and Josh, continue to journey onwards together and with something very small to celebrate and look forward to, as they are expecting Spencer’s baby sibling at the end of August!

Good Luck Randi and Josh! Thank you for trusting me to capture so many precious moments in your story. I hope you get your happily ever after!

Pete:-)

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