1. Dixie.
She's my snuggle-buddy, comic relief, nap partner, comforter, and reminder-of-what-really-matters. I love my dog WAY too much. Can't help it though. I truly believe that dogs are one of God's best creations. Check out this very sweet video if you haven't already. Dixie is such a gift from God and I know He gave her to me to exhibit his love for me in tangible and snuggly ways.
She's my snuggle-buddy, comic relief, nap partner, comforter, and reminder-of-what-really-matters. I love my dog WAY too much. Can't help it though. I truly believe that dogs are one of God's best creations. Check out this very sweet video if you haven't already. Dixie is such a gift from God and I know He gave her to me to exhibit his love for me in tangible and snuggly ways.
2. My Family
This is an old photo from a few Christmases back but it makes me smile. I am SO blessed to have a family who loves me unconditionally and are some of my biggest supporters. You don't get to pick your family but if I could, I would pick these guys anyhow.
I'm 33 but I still go to my parents' house when I just want to relax, be comforted or feel at peace. That's a huge tribute to the kind of home they've created and who they are.
This is an old photo from a few Christmases back but it makes me smile. I am SO blessed to have a family who loves me unconditionally and are some of my biggest supporters. You don't get to pick your family but if I could, I would pick these guys anyhow.
I'm 33 but I still go to my parents' house when I just want to relax, be comforted or feel at peace. That's a huge tribute to the kind of home they've created and who they are.
3. God
These are in no particular order. But if they were, God would be #1. Without him I have no hope, peace, joy and the world is without beauty. My relationship with God has ups and downs but no matter what happens, He is the one thing I know will be a constant. I've struggled to understand and accept his love over the years but when I get glimpses of it I am just brought to tears. We truly have NO IDEA how much he loves us.
These are in no particular order. But if they were, God would be #1. Without him I have no hope, peace, joy and the world is without beauty. My relationship with God has ups and downs but no matter what happens, He is the one thing I know will be a constant. I've struggled to understand and accept his love over the years but when I get glimpses of it I am just brought to tears. We truly have NO IDEA how much he loves us.
4. My clients
I've said it so many times but it bears repeating: I have some of the best clients. I LOVE that part of my job is getting to know new people. I get a very unique window into their lives that involves earning their trust and invitation to be near them, capturing their memories on one of the most important days of their lives. The relationship that often results is a unique one that I cherish.
Two nights ago Laura, whose wedding I photographed Saturday, called me. She was leaving the next day for Fiji on their honeymoon. But she just had to call to thank me profusely for the job I did for them. I was so overwhelmed -- she about brought me to tears. Besides expressing thanks for capturing their memories -- which will always be reminders of how they felt that day -- she appreciated me as a person. The feeling was totally mutual. That's the amazing thing about what I get to do: I feel so blessed in return to get to know such amazing people.
I've said it so many times but it bears repeating: I have some of the best clients. I LOVE that part of my job is getting to know new people. I get a very unique window into their lives that involves earning their trust and invitation to be near them, capturing their memories on one of the most important days of their lives. The relationship that often results is a unique one that I cherish.
Two nights ago Laura, whose wedding I photographed Saturday, called me. She was leaving the next day for Fiji on their honeymoon. But she just had to call to thank me profusely for the job I did for them. I was so overwhelmed -- she about brought me to tears. Besides expressing thanks for capturing their memories -- which will always be reminders of how they felt that day -- she appreciated me as a person. The feeling was totally mutual. That's the amazing thing about what I get to do: I feel so blessed in return to get to know such amazing people.
5. Friends in the wedding industry.
I am truly blessed beyond measure in the friend department. I just have a knack for knowing the good ones and keeping them close. Today I'm thankful for all my friends. But even more specifically, I'm thankful for the relationships I've developed over the last 6 years I've been in the wedding industry. Owning your own business CAN be a lonely journey. I spend a lot of time in my office in front of the computer. But it doesn't have to be. And it hasn't been for me. I've developed some very genuine friendships with coordinators, vendors and photographers that go beyond work. This has been SO valuable to me lately. Owning your own business is a very emotional thing. The highs are high and the lows are low. It's your baby and it's ALL personal. It's such a blessing to be able to have friends who relate to what I'm going through, know who I am and are there to understand and commiserate through it all.
I am truly blessed beyond measure in the friend department. I just have a knack for knowing the good ones and keeping them close. Today I'm thankful for all my friends. But even more specifically, I'm thankful for the relationships I've developed over the last 6 years I've been in the wedding industry. Owning your own business CAN be a lonely journey. I spend a lot of time in my office in front of the computer. But it doesn't have to be. And it hasn't been for me. I've developed some very genuine friendships with coordinators, vendors and photographers that go beyond work. This has been SO valuable to me lately. Owning your own business is a very emotional thing. The highs are high and the lows are low. It's your baby and it's ALL personal. It's such a blessing to be able to have friends who relate to what I'm going through, know who I am and are there to understand and commiserate through it all.
6. The ability to create.
God is the ultimate Creator. I stand in awe. But isn't it amazing that he has given us humans -- part of his creation -- the ability to create too? I struggle to put into words how thankful I am for this. To be able to do something so fulfilling and inspiring for a living -- to be able to express myself through photography -- is something I am tremendously thankful for.
God is the ultimate Creator. I stand in awe. But isn't it amazing that he has given us humans -- part of his creation -- the ability to create too? I struggle to put into words how thankful I am for this. To be able to do something so fulfilling and inspiring for a living -- to be able to express myself through photography -- is something I am tremendously thankful for.
7. You!
It may sound cheesy but I'm really thankful for you, my blog readers. I've gotten to meet some of you face to face this year and it's always so fun for me. It's funny when one of my blog readers comes up and introduces themselves sheepishly as being a "blog stalker." I hate that term. It has such a negative connotation. I write my blog SO THAT PEOPLE WILL WANT TO COME BACK OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO READ IT. If you didn't keep coming back, I wouldn't have a reason to keep writing. So rather than referring to you as "blog stalkers" I prefer the term "blog readers."
When I sit down to write a blog post, I feel like I'm writing to friends. I don't view this as a one-way conversation where you're getting to know me and that's it. I view it as a forum for conversation. That's why I LOVE comments so much. I love to know who you are and hear what you think. People are stunned when they get a personal email from me back thanking them for their comment (something I often do) but I do that because I view you as friends who I am in conversation with. I want you to know that I appreciate you for stopping by and entering into the conversation. You guys rock!
It may sound cheesy but I'm really thankful for you, my blog readers. I've gotten to meet some of you face to face this year and it's always so fun for me. It's funny when one of my blog readers comes up and introduces themselves sheepishly as being a "blog stalker." I hate that term. It has such a negative connotation. I write my blog SO THAT PEOPLE WILL WANT TO COME BACK OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO READ IT. If you didn't keep coming back, I wouldn't have a reason to keep writing. So rather than referring to you as "blog stalkers" I prefer the term "blog readers."
When I sit down to write a blog post, I feel like I'm writing to friends. I don't view this as a one-way conversation where you're getting to know me and that's it. I view it as a forum for conversation. That's why I LOVE comments so much. I love to know who you are and hear what you think. People are stunned when they get a personal email from me back thanking them for their comment (something I often do) but I do that because I view you as friends who I am in conversation with. I want you to know that I appreciate you for stopping by and entering into the conversation. You guys rock!
Beyond these six things, I'm thankful today for the cozy feeling that comes in the Fall, Mexican food, Tivo, good books, the ability to run, the internet, chocolate, airplanes, laughter, cruise control, a flexible schedule, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, that the Olympics are going to be on in a couple months, my house cleaner, my web designer, my office assistant(!), long distance friends who have stayed close and a hundred other things. I am truly blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I hope you have some time to reflect on the things you're thankful for this weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I hope you have some time to reflect on the things you're thankful for this weekend.
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