The Little Things No. 24

The little things really do add up, which is why every Friday I end the week on a positive note with appreciation for the little things in my life that make up a greater sense of joy. I hope you join me today in appreciating the good, no matter how small. I will also be sharing links from time to time about things that are inspirational, funny, beautiful, or important.

Because this is about appreciation rather than perfection, I’m not only including my professional quality photos, but some cellphone snaps as well. You can expect to see a more candid look into my life every week with my The Little Things blog posts every Friday.

Dear Friends,

It is the last day of my twenties! I’m really looking forward to turning thirty tomorrow, but for now I am thankful to be right here where I am at twenty-nine. I was talking to Matthew the other day and I told him I felt a little disappointed that I did not accomplish the goals I had set up for myself for my twenties, yet I have done so much more than I ever imagined. Life has a funny way of giving you what you need rather than what you want, or think you wanted.

In my late teens I knew I would finish college in my twenties and then I would set out into the world to become a world traveling photojournalist. I did finish college, but I also ended up meeting the man of my wildest dreams (who turned out even better in real life) and I knew I couldn’t be around the world all the time as a photojournalist if I wanted it to work out. Ever the feminist, I worried that I would “give up” on myself to chase my dreams, but then I realized that my dreams had simply evolved. Now I’m a wedding photojournalist! My goal was to be full-time by thirty and this year I was so very close until Covid-19 hit. Why did I have to feel the need to put a time limit on it any way? There is no timeline.

I have done things in my twenties that I never planned on achieving; I studied abroad in a foreign country, started my own business (make that two!), started a blog, got married, traveled extensively (including several states in the U.S. and to France, Italy, Greece, and Indonesia), flew a plane, climbed to the top of the Statue of Liberty, sipped Champaign on the top of the Eiffel Tower, kayaked in a bioluminescent bay, and walked through the ruins of ancient Rome. It feels really nice listing off the amazing adventures. I could just as easily list my heartbreaks and struggles, but I realize that all the pain in the world could not outweigh the good as long as we appreciate it.

This week, I am so thankful for the little things:

Tomorrow we’ll be celebrating my birthday on Block Island with Matthew and a couple of close friends.

This peppermint tea I’ve been drinking all week.