My parents are the most remarkable individuals I have ever known. We’ve always been very close. They have always been my biggest fans and supported my dreams and aspirations at every cost. Growing up I was one of those kids who’d rather attend one of my parent’s dinner parties than a “kegger” one of the high school cliques was throwing down the street. When it came time to apply for college, and all of the universities on my wish list were out-of-state, my parents never made me feel guilty about leaving home. Instead, they were excited with me. From 2006 onward, I lived across the country from my family.

My dad and mom were older than my friends’ parents…the adoption process was painfully slow in Colombia in the 80’s. Their age did not make a difference growing up, but for the past decade I lived with a perpetual fear of something happening and being too far to swoop in and help. We operate on a three hour time difference….I’d get an adrenaline rush whenever my phone would ring or ding at an “off hour.” Regrettably, February 20, 2020 my fear became a reality. Doctors discovered a lesion in my dad’s left lung after he began experiencing sudden weight loss.

The Longest Fight of My Life

On March 6th I booked a one-way ticket to Connecticut. I knew this visit was not going to be fun, but I did not know that I was about to embark on a real-life NIGHTMARE. My dad was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer right as the COVID-19 pandemic exploded. The Tri-state Region was the epicenter and he was in and out of the hospital throughout it all. I could not believe this was my life. Every television in the medical center was covering the pandemic. We went from staying the night in his hospital room, to being limited to one family member at a time, to being abruptly kicked out because of the virus. As the CDC released COVID-19 safety guidelines we were right there to experience them. We went to hell and back, and the virus affected our situation in ways I did not even consider possible.

Would my dad undergo chemotherapy, or was it too risky to compromise his immune system with aggressive treatment – knowing there was a virus spreading like wildfire that directly effects the LUNGS?! As the world went into mass hysteria, medical supplies became scarce, and my dad was suffering from pressure ulcers. Trips to the wound care clinic were out of the question out of fear of exposure. We needed to change bandages and rubber gloves were unavailable. WHAT WOULD WE HAVE DONE IF I WAS NOT MARRIED TO A PLASTIC SURGEON WITH TRAINING IN WOUND CARE, AND A MEDICAL SUPPLY CLOSET STOCKED WITH GLOVES?! All I wanted to do was give my dad a huge hug…but I was too scared. What if I was an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19?

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

What I just described was sadly only a small sliver of the anguish we were faced with. March, April, and May were the most emotionally and physically EXHAUSTING months of my life. Despite the devastation, it was MY DUTY to ensure my dad’s comfort and care during the remainder of his life, as he has done all 32 years of mine. On the night of May 12th I lost one of the most admirable people in my life, my beloved Daddy. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh

The Circle of Life

The grieving process has reminded me just how much I value family. Your family members are like a built-in army. They are there to defend, protect, and offer support through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Today marks our NINE year wedding anniversary – it’s been over 11 years since we first met! Every day we spend together I am grateful our lives crossed paths. We see the world through the same lens and make a dynamic duo! In fact, one of the reasons we are so compatible is because Jonathan values family as much as I do. He comes from a big one (speaking of armies!), he is the youngest of seven siblings. We always agreed that if we were to raise a child one day, it would be a mini version of me. We’d own every matching “mommy and me” set available, and be the best of friends just like me and my mom. She’d learn field hockey at a young age, and enjoy dressing up and getting manicures. She’d instantly steal her daddy’s heart.

Through all the heartache, this year has been a learning experience to say the least. But the biggest lesson is yet to come...I found out I was pregnant exactly one month after my dad left us. In my heart I knew a mini-Kelsey was not growing inside of me. I consider it an absolute honor to have the privilege of raising an exemplary little man, like both his maternal grandfather (the “Zaydee” he will never meet), and his compassionate father. I cannot wait to give him that hug I was SO yearning for before my dad passed. BABY BOY KAPLAN is due the end of February. I had no idea I needed this. We needed this. My family needed something joyous to look forward to and we got it alright. We are SO excited to take you all along on our journey into parenthood. Thank you for your endless love and support.

Shop the Post:

My Outfit: Dress (Buyer Beware – You cannot launder) | Shoes | Earrings
Jonathan’s Outfit: Shirt styled by Gene Hiller | Blazer | Trousers | Slippers – Stubbs & Wooton
Onesie by MamiOrigami

Photography by Alexis Estrom

The post A Year of Heartbreak, Solitude, and Pure Joy appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

Age is Just a Number

When we first started dating, our age difference only seemed to bother other people. It was never an issue for us and it has proven to be an important piece in our Kaplan family puzzle! Jonathan has a decade more of life experiences under his belt. As a result, he sees the world differently than I do. Jonathan is a very rational thinker – I guess that is what four years of medical school, five years of residency, and a two year fellowship will do to you! He helps me see things for what they are and helps me focus on what really matters. And yes, I “keep him young” but not in the traditional sense. Jonathan attributes much of his success on social media and marketing to “marrying a millennial.” He’s always evaluating my tricks of the trade and applying them where applicable to his ventures.

Besties for the Resties

Jonathan and I are best friends. We like the same things, we enjoy the same foods (Capaninna and Tony’s say whaaaat?!), and relish the same pastimes. San Francisco lovers…convince your significant other to ride a scooter. It’s the best way to experience date night in the city.

Give and Take

I am Jonathan’s number one fan, and he is mine! He is always one of the first people to “like” my photos on Instagram, and I still get so excited every time a new consult books surgery with him. We always support each other’s endeavors. He squeezes in blog photo shoots {in scrubs} in between patients, and attends “doggy brunch” in my place! I fill in as phone operator on a whim at the office, and I’m an unofficial Uber driver during conference season. Jonathan and I are more than life parters; we are business partners and I cannot imagine it any other way.

Time is Money

We’ve always respected each other’s time. Whether that’s time at work, time with friends/family, or time at the gym, we do not question each other’s decisions when it comes to time. As far as alone time…yeah that doesn’t really happen. We have more fun when we are together!

Opposites Don’t Always Attract

Jonathan and I have very similar personalities. We are both very social, forthright, motivated, extremely strong-willed, and share many of the same quirks. Contrary to popular beliefs, this works for us. Jonathan would be very bored in a relationship with someone who did not challenge him. I would be aggravated with a spouse who did not voice their own opinion.

Kaplan Team

We are a team. You mess with him, you mess with me, and honestly I cannot imagine anything scarier – #lookout! Jonathan is my Face ID when I am not around, and I am his voice when he cannot speak for himself.

Admire the Hustle

We share a genuine interest in each other’s careers. The transformations that occur at 2100 Webster Street never cease to amaze me! And after nearly a decade of “plastic surgery talk,” I am more than capable of conducting a knowledgeable and thoughtful consultation. Click here to book an appointment with yours truly. Ha! If it didn’t require 11 years of training, I would become a plastic surgeon tomorrow. Jonathan continually admires my clothing eidetic memory and ability to coordinate an outfit. I cannot remember where I put my phone two seconds after using it, but I can recall the outfit I wore to the second night Seder in 2010 (insert laughing emoji). Shortly after we were married, we attended a medical conference together in New Orleans. I’ll never forget when he called his mom just to tell her that he was with the “the best dressed woman at the convention center!” Now I would not go so far to say that he’d start a blog about fashion, but he is wearing martini slippers for goodness sake! Now for the million dollar question, who has a stronger shoe game?! Dr. or Mrs Bae?!

Shop the Post:

Jacket c/o (similar here and here) | Crop Top & Shorts Set | Shoes c/o | Belt | Earrings

Photography by Alexis Exstrom Photography

The post 7 Years Married; 7 Reasons Our Marriage Works appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.