I never really considered myself a southern girl before, but ohhhh last week I fell head over heels in love with the state of Georgia…Apparently I need to go back and experience the summer humidity before I can REALLY say this, but it’s an incredibly beautiful place! I love the spanish inspired architecture, mossy oak trees, and sweet southern charm + hospitality that’s so unique to the area…we are already hoping to go back to the Golden Isles for our anniversary this year!

We spent the first  weekend of our trip on St. Simon Island where Ryan’s grandparents own a condo. We tried new restaurants, explored the area (aka Ryan drove us around while I swooned over the southern mansions and oak trees), plus I had the opportunity to photograph a wedding with my sweet friend, Anna K, AND photograph an anniversary session for the sweet couple above! Ryan and I also got to get in front of Anna’s camera and are so thankful for these moments that she captured for us! As I looked through them today on her blog, I teared up just thinking about this amazing man that I get to do life with…

Marriage is such a gift, but it can take hard work to really grow together as a couple…that’s where getaways like the Connect Retreat can be incredibly valuable! Last week at Winshape in Rome, Georgia we saw lives changed, developed friendships with other couples who run small businesses (we love you guys!), had a ton of fun, ate a lot of ice-cream (this place has FREE chickfila ice-cream anytime of day…who could resist?) and had the chance to reevaluate where we’re at and how we can grow together moving forward in business and our marriage. Ryan doesn’t usually shoot with me, but I couldn’t do this without all of his support on the financial and administrative side of my business. It was so refreshing and encouraging to build relationships with couples who truly care about us and get what it feels like to wear a million different hats and sometimes have to count sitting in the same room doing work as quality time together because it feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day! We are almost 3 years into our marriage and while I know that’s nothing compared to couples who have been married for decades, you bet we are going to invest in and celebrate our marriage every chance we get! Thanks to Katelyn, Amy, and Tyler for these insta’s…

Last week we heard from some of the best in the business about how God has completely transformed their lives to help them achieve balance and fulfillment by discovering what makes them unique and how they can use that to edify others and bring glory to the Lord. When we live this life trying to find fulfillment in other ways we will always come up short…it was incredible to hear from couples who have been there and done that but have finally started to achieve running a business that is centered around serving the Lord, which has given them a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment plus access to BALANCE. Sending a huge thank you and hug to Zach and Jody, Michael and Katelyn, and Jeff and Julia for being so transparent this week and for allowing God to speak through you guys!!

It was a reality check to say the least. You know how sometimes you feel like you’re pushing SO hard but still coming up short? Last week I learned that what I was missing is that momentum that you gain from having appropriate amounts of work and rest in life. I couldn’t focus. I legitimately thought I had a severe case of ADD. When I just needed to push less and relax more. When you place boundaries on your life it leads to more productivity. And that means more time to actually LIVE that life that you’re working so hard to create. Because I don’t think anyone I know deep down actually feels FULFILLED by how many likes they get on their instagram of a pretty sunset or a perfectly lit picture of the bouquet their husband just gave them, or of their puppy. The fulfillment comes in the part where you actually LIVE and enjoy those blessings…

Last week Julia mentioned this quote: “Work like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God”. When I first heard it, it sounded off to me…really? Is that even Biblical? Doesn’t God want to carry my burdens so that I don’t have to? Well yes, of course He does…but He also gave me a purpose here, which I believe is to bring glory to Him by living my life in such a way that reflects His love for us. I fail at that all the time, but I’m thankful for grace and that He just asks me to lean on Him and do my best..and that’s where the prayer part comes in because when we work hard we hit a point where we realize that no matter how much effort we put in we will fall short in some way on our own!  A successful business, marriage, healthy lifestyle, etc. usually won’t just fall into my lap. I have to be willing to put in the work. While at the same time lifting up these things to the Lord in prayer and trusting Him with the outcome. When I think about it this way, I breathe out a huge sigh of relief knowing that as long as I do my best with what I’ve been given, then that’s all anyone can ask! And that means working harder but LESS because that leaves more room to share your gifts, serve others, and enjoy life and your marriage!

I totally respect that there are people who read my blog that believe totally different things than I do…But it just feels right to end this with one of my favorite verses, and maybe you will find it encouraging in some way:

“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best that you can with your own life”. Galatians 6:4-5 MSG

And to sum up this post here’s a peek at one of the gorgeous couples (inside and out!) that Ryan and I got to know last week! Can’t wait to share more of Amy and Jordan, along with some other friends that I got to shoot! How precious are they?

Spending time away with each other last week and and investing in a retreat that encouraged us to grow and lean into our relationship with God and each other made me even more excited for my new website coming THIS WEEK and the new focus in my business on marriage and anniversary sessions!

Happy Monday!