Random Fun
Connecticut Photographers – Fear
To say I’ve taken a hiatus from blogging would be an understatement. I’ve not only fallen off the blog wagon, I’d had a super hard time focusing on work and getting stuff done lately. Many of you may have seen my post on FB this week where I shouted from the rooftops that I was finally breathing easy; it’s been a long fall and an especially long January.
Without getting into too many private details, my doctor had been slightly alarmed by something she saw this past fall. After minor treatment, she seemed confident that this issue was just an annoyance of sorts… and not the possible cancer she suggested it may be to me. I’ve never breathed such a huge sigh of relief when she told me she didn’t need to biopsy it, that she felt ok about all of this and then sent me on my way home.
And then to my surprise, she called me back this January to “check in on me” and announced upon examining me that she “didn’t like what she saw.”
Whewww. To say that came out of left field would be an understatement. I went home, prepared for the potential that I’d need a biopsy and feeling completely overwhelmed. And then it hit me; HOW had I let something that was so iffy in nature and diagnosis be left untouched for FOUR months? Something on my body that threatened my normalcy of life and could potentially be cancer? I was really angry – at my doctor for not taking stronger action initially and at myself for being so afraid of the biopsy that I avoided doing the right thing. I realized that early on in the fall when all of this happened, I was praying for the doctor to tell me I didn’t need a biopsy – when really, I should have been praying she’d have the assertiveness to biopsy me and that the news would be good.
FEAR. I’m ashamed to admit that the fear of getting a biopsy stood in my way of making the right decision, the decision that brings the peace of mind to be able to function on a normal basis again. Thanks to a few people, one of which was my mother-in-law, I realized my only action was to brave the biopsy and know the results – good or bad.
And so fast forward to yesterday: the call came in that the biopsy came back NORMAL. NORMAL; I’ve never been so happy to hear the word NORMAL in my life. Although this experience caused a lot of emotions, nights of lying awake and being scared and many, many tears, the end result is that I realized that fear cannot prevent me from making the safe and right choices for my health.
So, thanks for being patient with my fogginess this month and a huge thanks to those that left sweet messages on my FB post yesterday. Today, I’m feeling AMAZING and extremely grateful – and happy to be greeted by this face this morning. (Love my sweet angel pup, Madi.)
FEATURED {Wedding Chicks} – DIY Ombre Heart Project
When the incredibly talented Erica Obrien Cake Design asked if I’d be up for shooting some of her awesome cakes and a project she was working on, I dove at the chance. We hadn’t met in person, nor had I tasted her cake, but after we connected online I felt like she was pretty awesome. And then we met and I had her INCREDIBLY delicious cakes and realized she’s as fabulous as I’d expected her to be. So, it came as no surprise that she had a fantastic DIY project assembled and that the best wedding website ever, www.weddingchicks.com picked up the project! The kicker to all of this: I got to take the photos. Talk about hanging onto someone else’s coattails and enjoying the ride! I’m just so grateful that I even get to have my name anywhere near this fun project.
The feature from Wedding Chicks:
And then BRIDES.com decided to give the project a shout-out. WOOHOO!
And if that wasn’t mind-blowingly awesome enough, these tweets followed over the weekend.
I truly cannot believe this project was pinned over 8,000 times on Pinterest but I have to say, it was SOOOOO exciting to see! The biggest thanks goes to Erica Obrien for asking me to be involved … and a huge thank you to weddingchicks.com and BRIDES.com for giving a girl in CT one of the best moments of her life! xoxo
Christmas presents.
I’m slowly cleaning up my life … to say 2011 has been insanely busy is an understatement. I’ve got mounds of laundry, files to update, emails to answer and blog posts to … well, post. For now though, it’s all about de-christmas-ing our house and cleaning up. As I start to pack away the decorations, I came across this Christmas present from last year. Don’t worry – I combustibly burst into tears when I opened it and my sweet goddaughter looked at me like “why are you crying – don’t you like my gift?” This got me thinking —- What was your favorite holiday gift this year? (This same little lady surprised me this year with a stunning felt scarf. Photo and caption to follow one day soon! xoxo)
Taking PAUSE / Connecticut Wedding and Children’s Photographers
I’m overdue for my full Thanksgiving post but this weekend came and my entire idea for a post changed. I had big, fancy plans to talk about thankfulness and gratitude but realized something; I talk a lot about that during the year and I hope people read and realize how grateful I feel for my life. What struck me most about this Thanksgiving was my inability to take pause; I could not slow down, could not relax and could not for the life of me step away from work. It wasn’t about the random photo shoots I did this week (they meant so much to me!) – it was the inability to stop frenetically checking my phone, reading emails and step away from the editing work. During this holiday week, I joined up with my best friends and we went to our 10 year high school reunion together. In the midst of WAY too many cocktails (holy hangover, I am getting OLD!) it struck me; I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t taken the time to pause and cherish the loved ones around me – the friends (old and new), my family, acquaintances I wished to reconnect with and most importantly, my husband. So for everyone heading into this next holiday, remember to take pause, cherish the little moments happening around you and be grateful for those special people that never stop supporting you.
(We are sadly missing Darby from this photo but it’s the ONLY one I had from the entire night!)
Eat, Drink and Be Merry / Connecticut Wedding and Children’s Photographers
I have so many things I want to say now, at Thanksgiving, a time when everyone is somewhat forced to slow down and look at all the good things. But let’s be real – it’s almost time to leave for my aunt’s house, I’m sitting here with soaking wet hair that needs to be attended to and my father is already glancing at his watch anxious to leave. SO – I’ll come back and do justice to a post that deserves the time and attention to come out right. I just was going through my inbox and came across this blog update from a client of mine and her words keep echoing in my mind. I just had to share. In the midst of all the craziness that this fall has been and continues to be, it’s all meant to be.
” … So go on: Eat, drink, and be merry, and of course, be thankful. Be thankful for calamity and chaos that is life. Be thankful for change and challenge that is faith. Be thankful for the unforeseen and unexpected that is destiny. Because the best-laid plans can and do go array, but the end result is often just as it should be.”
It’s been a crazy year; stressful, challenging and full of the unforeseen. But in the end, craziness aside, life is as it should be and that’s really, really good if I do say so myself.
FOUR. / Connecticut and Boston Wedding Photographers
Four years ago today, I married my husband in my family church, surrounded by candlelight and our loved ones. We were 24 years old, had dated since the middle of college and SO YOUNG. (I’d like to stress I think I am SO YOUNG still, so four years ago we must have been middle schoolers or something.) Jeremy and I joke a lot that we don’t know what our parents were thinking letting us get married when we came home engaged at 23 years old. I didn’t even have a 401K yet. (Dad, that’s for you.)
For all my brides, stop reading if you don’t want to hear the brutal honest truth; it’s been a hard four years. No one told me that marriage wasn’t anything but a giant honeymoon ball of deliciousness and I can assure you it hasn’t been! What it has been is this incredible journey of work, effort, commitment and love that we both have for each other that beats out all the hard stuff and makes it worth it every single day we have together. I can say with the upmost honesty and confidence that I appreciate Jeremy more today than I did when I stood in my church and vowed to love him for the rest of my days. To watch him support and love me this past year has made me realize that God has this incredible life plan for me and that Jeremy was meant to be a part of it from the beginning – and that his support along the way is one of the main reasons so many of my dreams came true this year. I wrote this in a post a few months ago but it says exactly the right thing and so I am saying it here again today:
” … But most importantly, my husband … who deals with a wife who is never home, checks emails in bed, texts clients under the dinner table, goes to weddings dateless, attends family and friend parties without me, lets me show him every little photo from every shoot and who is my sounding board for everything – I adore you. Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader; I couldn’t get through any day without you.”
So Jeremy, in the words of a recent groom Bryan (whom I adore!) who said it perfectly on his wedding day, ” I am blessed to be able to spend my life with you.” Here’s to 4 … hundred more. xoxo
(Photo credit: our wedding photographer, David Tucker Photography)
BOUDOIR! ALBUMS! SORRY! / Connecticut and Boston Wedding Photographers
This is going to be a bizzarre blog post of updates!
CALLING ALL MY BOUDIORIANS! Spread the word – January sessions are being set and will all be on a Sunday. We will be doing the same set up where we gather all together for one big party and a hair and makeup artist will be on site. Perfect gift for Valentine’s Day! At this point they are in CT only (working on some Boston dates) but either way, if you want a session make sure you contact me NOW. I’ve had a list of interested ladies since fall and want to ensure everyone gets a spot.
To Christine, Cristina and Lauren – thank you for your PATIENCE. I owe you each a detailed blog post with photos and a story and I promise they are coming up! I was sick and making a few deadlines and hate rushing and putting up a quick blog post. We all know I love to talk, right?
Album deadlines for any of my 2011 brides is December 1! EEEEK. This means it has to be designed and submitted by then which is insanely soon. I’ve heard from everyone I think but if you want a book for the holidays, please make sure you get in contact with me today.
(one of my favorite shots from last year’s sessions!)
Happy Halloween / Connecticut Wedding Photographers
Eight years ago today, on a Halloween night at Bentley College, an oompaloompa and a bunny found their way to each other … and I guess you could say the rest is history. It’s been an amazing, joyful, stressful, always-changing, exciting, busy and wonderful eight years together. Looking back, I’m so grateful that the oompaloompa I found my way to turned out to be such a supportive, understanding and incredible man. Happy Halloween all!
Dream Come True / Connecticut and Boston Wedding Photographers
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to spend a gorgeous fall afternoon with Ruth and Mike, an awesomely fun couple whose wedding I will be shooting next year. At the end of our shoot, Mike agreed to take us all to the Westchester County Airport to snap a few photos. (more on their connection to the airport and airplanes when I feature their engagement session!)
Anyone who knows me is well aware of my DEATHLY HIDEOUS fear of flying. I hate it. I dread it for weeks before a trip and happily take a zantax before boarding the plane. The worst part – I have flown a lot and it never changes … I hate it. BUT – with an amazing world out there to see, I don’t let it stop me. ( I do, however, ruin most flights for Jeremy as he watches me white knuckle the arm rests and heavy breathe!) The craziest part of it all – I am OBSESSED with plane watching. It never ceases to amaze me that something so enormous can get off the ground as silly as that may sound. When we drive by Newark, I freak out because the runway is so close to the highway and the view is amazing. I always tell Jeremy that the best date he could ever take me on is a picnic somewhere close to an airport where I could just watch planes take off and land. SO – needless to say, I was freaking out yesterday when I was taken to the airport and allowed to stand on the tarmac close to all the planes and just watch them take off and land! Ruth & Mike – I am so sorry for my endless babbling and freaking out. I couldn’t stop talking – but who’s surprised at that?! Thank you a ZILLION times over for making a dream of mine come true! (and Ruth – thanks for offering to take a photo!)
OLD / Connecticut Wedding Photographers
Lately I’ve been feeling like a big ‘ole fart. Maybe it’s because I wear pj’s all day … or because my ten-year high school reunion is coming up … or because I am rapidly approaching my thirties. Either way, I needed a pick-me-up; a sort of “I’m still young, don’t put me in mom jeans yet” sort of pick-me-up. So I went on a shoe-apolooza shopping spree and bought 4 few pairs of shoes, including this pair. Sometimes you just have to prove to yourself you CAN. Now here’s to seeing if I can actually walk in them. xoxo
