The Best of 2019

The best of 2019…I love doing these posts! Sitting down at the end of a year and looking back over it. Seeing the challenges that were overcome, the growth that happened. It’s encouraging and inspiring all at the same time!

2019 was really and truly a banner year.

I went full time in my business at the end of February.
The sweetest/kindest/funniest/hottest guy ever proposed to me at the end of March.
I subluxed my patella (dislocated my kneecap) in June.
I learned what it feels like to have a community around me supporting me when things go south.
That sweet/kind/funny/hot guy became my husband at the beginning of September.
We honeymooned in Hawaii. (And I went snorkeling for the first time ever.)
I started another business in October.
I shot some of my favorite ever weddings and sessions, traveled out of state multiple times for weddings, and completely re-branded my business.

My word for 2019 was FEARLESS. At the beginning of the year, I posted this on Instagram:

I tossed a lot of words around, and had even semi-settled on three, but they just didn’t seem right. And then one evening, the word fearless just popped into my head and it was just…right. This year I want to fearlessly pursue this passion that sets my soul on fire. I want to be fearless in the way I share Jesus. I want to fearlessly look into the future and know that nothing is impossible with God. I want to be fearless in the way I live, day in and day out.

2019 wasn’t completely without fear…in fact, there were times I was so fearful, I thought it would cripple me. But, I had an overarching feeling of fearlessness through the year. I made decisions in my business and in my personal life that reflected fearlessness. Even if I was slightly terrified on the inside!

I will always remember 2019 as a year that changed me, challenged me, and grew me in exponential ways.

There are a few people who really made 2019 the year that it was, and I want to mention them here.

To my private editor, Alisa. You took a load off my plate when it was piled to overflowing and I was in constant burnout. You’ve helped me refine my style in an astronomical way, and I’m more in love with my work now than I’ve ever been. You make it possible for me to deliver weddings before a couple celebrates their 2 week anniversary. Your encouragement and sweet words make my heart sing, and I’m SO grateful for you. Thank you a million times over.

To my website guru, Gretchen. You answered my (5 billion) questions without batting an eyelash, or rolling your eyes at me. (Or at least without letting me know you were rolling your eyes.) You’re prompt, you encourage me to grow in my own technical abilities, and you have what seems like unlimited knowledge. I can truly say that my website would be one big hot mess if it wasn’t for you. Thank you so, so much.

To my StoryBrand guide, Amy. From day 1, you’ve been my biggest cheerleader, and treated me like your number 1 client. You’ve spurred me to reach for greater heights, and to be fearless as I did so. You’ve believed in me more than I believed in myself, and even when I didn’t believe at all. You’ve helped start a revolution in my business, and I cannot WAIT to see that revolution grow and take over the world in 2020. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, forever.

To my husband, Nathan. You’ve been my sounding board, my support system, my best hug giver and my resident joker. You say yes to things that are scary to support me and help grow my business. You’ve believed in me and have never stopped being proud of me. Thank you for being you. I love you to the ends of the earth.

And last, but most definitely not least…to my clients. You all literally make it possible for me to do what I do. Serving you all has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I’m so, so grateful for every single person who has stepped in front of my camera and made this dream a reality. I go to bed thinking about you all, and wake up ready to tackle another day and make your experience doubly amazing. I’m on the edge of my seat to see where 2020 will take us, and to meet all the amazing clients I’ll have the opportunity to work with.