Happy Birthday, Nathan! | Personal

Happy Birthday, Nathan! | Personal

Dear Nathan,
It's your birthday today, and you're one year closer to 30! I know you probably won't be thrilled that one of my blogging days just happened to be on your birthday but I'm going to take it as a sign to write an open letter to you.

These past few months have been the best and worst of our whole marriage. In the last year I quit my job, you changed your job, we lost a child, went to Africa, sold our house, and moved to a new city. We always joke that we do everything at once and I have to laugh at how true that is. We are a lot of things but we will never be bored.

But with so many serious life changes I thought I'd keep today a little more on the lighthearted side. So for those of you who thought you knew Nathan...I'm about to prove you all wrong ;) Without further ado, here are some of my favorite stores from this past year...

Monument Avenue Engagement Session | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Josh + Kayla

Monument Avenue Engagement Session | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Josh + Kayla

Josh and Kayla are amazing because more than anyone I know they are true to themselves - no matter how crazy or awkward or hilarious they may be. They bonded over their mutual love for cats, developed a shared favorite hockey team in the Pittsburg Penguins, and grew closer each day since. When we spent the evening going all over Richmond in the hunt for murals, ending at the beautiful Monument Avenue, I couldn't help but wish over and again that I could record what they were saying to make each other laugh - because Nathan and I could not stop cracking up, either!

The part I loved most as we spent time together, though, was seeing the little in-between moments the two shared. They may have joked about pretending to like each other or made goofy faces to lighten the moment, but underneath all the laughter and fun it was so obvious that Josh and Kayla are made for each other. She is chatty and ridiculous, and he is steady and caring. And as parents to three cats (with more to come I'm sure) with many years behind them, they know what commitment looks and live it out each day...

Downsizing for a Purpose | Monday Musings

Downsizing for a Purpose | Monday Musings

After moving a few weeks ago, we have been slowly but surely unpacking boxes, getting settled in, and making our house a home. That last factor is the most important to me - our garage might have extra boxes for some time, and we might not have pictures on the walls yet, but I want to feel at home where we are. Part of the challenge has been figuring out where to put all of our stuff because in full honesty, we chose to downsize dramatically from our last home.

This decision for me was a long time coming. I grew up overseas in a tiny apartment with 5 other family members, never having more than one bathroom. While I would not recommend that for most people we made it work, and I know that is one of the reasons we are still so close to each other. Getting married and moving to a new city was a dramatic life change for me, but one of the biggest changes was buying a condo...