My First Decade
Highs:
I was loved deeply by parents and grandparents. Enjoyed many carefree summers on a farm, making cheese, chasing chickens, riding horses and surrounded by hordes of cousins and family. Blessed with two brothers as allies in my world.
Lows:
Lost my grandfather to Cancer, juggled and experienced many difficult situations with parents that to this day remain in a tumultuous and deeply dysfunctional marriage. Learned to managed adults to advocate and protect myself, brothers and sometimes parents.
Lessons:
Strength & courage is not defined by size or age.
A Spidey sense is a real thing…listen to it sometimes.
I’ve learned to always be aware of my surroundings.
Doing the right thing is rarely convenient.
Never stick a bobby pin in an electric socket, and no the outcome doesn’t change the second time around.
Cats can’t live in a suitcase.
Brown Bear Brown Bear, is the best book ever.
Olivia Newton John rocks at lullabies.
Don’t stand behind a horse EVER.
Real friends are unplanned gifts.
My Second Decade
Highs:
I meet 80% of my life long best friends.
I was fully on my own at 17.
I moved to Long Beach.
I Started college.
I was crowned Miss Congeniality in the Miss Long Beach pageant
I backpacked through Europe.
I learned to drive (and my love for manual cars began).
I was a donor and helped a family have a baby.
I got married.
I received my bachelors and masters.
I got my first “grown up” full time job with benefits and loved what I did.
Lows:
I had to leave my baby brother. Worked a lot to make ends meet.
I got divorced.
I got lead poisoning.
I was in a cycling accident.
I was paralyzed for 6 months.
Lessons:
Never do something for the sake of “nice” at the expense of your safety or well-being.
We are never alone, God is always with you.
A great friend is better than a mediocre family member any day.
Relationships void of trust and honesty don’t stand a chance.
Sometimes it's just up to you.
I’ve learned that our relationship with our mother is like a compass and when damaged or lost breaks us.
I’ve learned that old people rock!
You can’t save someone who is drowning if you are drowning.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
My Third Decade
Highs:
I fostered Beverly & Summer.
I adopted my son.
I gave birth to my daughter.
I was blessed with the opportunity to give birth to Maya & Noah as a surrogate.
I bought my first, second and third house.
I ran my first marathon.
I discovered audio books.
I met the love of my life.
I started my photography business.
I traveled outside US quite a bit.
My one and only dog found me.
I purchased my Xterra (Lucinda).
Lows:
I lost Beverly
I got laid off from work and struggled like hell to save my home.
I ruptured a disk in my neck.
I experienced situational depression.
I gained 50 pounds.
Lessons:
Foster care is a horrible system that no child should EVER be subjected to.
You can’t help or love someone that doesn’t want help or love.
Parents mostly wing it.
Your core doesn’t change.
As a whole, the human race is not good but each one of us has goodness.
Understanding what you and others value is like finding a magic pair of glasses.
Your worth starts with self value.
We feel love in the measure in which we give and receive it.
Love is not a universal language.
Happiness is a choice and, in some cases, so is love.
Better to change yourself than others.
Waiting till after 30 before making life-altering decisions is a really good idea (this especially applies to marriage and children).
Kids need to hear no, lose and get a bottom dusting sometimes.
Faith is everything.
My Fourth Decade
Highs:
My children have grown into young humans showing great potential in becoming adults that understand true kindness, love, humbleness, faith, joy and love. They are thriving and healthy and for this I’m both grateful and proud. I married the love of my life and we purchased our first home together (my fourth home purchase).
My business has matured into something truly special that grants me the honor of serving others in a meaningful way.
Lows:
We lost our dog Baxter.
My parents are surviving not thriving and my hopes for their future have bottomed out.
My sleep patterns are completely upside down.
Lessons:
Cozy socks and tea make everything better.
We have the power to hurt ourselves more than anyone else does.
Time in nature is like a reset button.
We can’t take our voice for granted, some will never have one.
Beauty is fluid and subjective.
An aging body is not the same as an aging soul.
Decisions based in fear are as stupid as people without it.
Every sunset is a priceless gift and birthdays are badges of honor.
A kid free vacation and bed is like miracle grow to a marriage.
Saying less sometimes says more.
Do not trust people that don’t like chocolate, massages or that are hard to read.
Time is more valuable than earthy wealth, spend it wisely.
Saying no doesn’t mean you aren’t nice.
Being nice is not the same as being kind.
Vanilla ice cream really is simple just the best, but if you can get a cup of good rocky road it literally rocks
The eyes of those that love me are more reliable than my mirror.
Life is an adventure, and age is not a mile marker.
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please give us a call today at 562.706.0032
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Blossom Blue Photography
4720 E 2nd St #5
Long Beach, CA 90803