Today I wanted to write a blog post on something I’m so thankful, and grateful for that I don’t know if I say enough, or ever could say enough but it’s always in my heart. I’ve been taking stock of what’s going on in my life and thinking about where I’ve been and where I’m headed as I approach a big birthday. So I wanted to say I am thankful for the incredible people in my life who support me and this little business of mine. Because to me, it’s not just a business. It’s my dream and it has been since I was just a young girl.

Did I always know that this path I’m on would be it? No. But I knew from the time I was very young that I wanted to be an artist, and I wanted to create. I’m lucky to have parents who didn’t tell me that it wasn’t an acceptable or feasible choice but bought me a camera and pushed me along. I’m lucky to have friends and family who want to hire me and not just ask me for free things because they want me to flourish. I’m so lucky to have a husband who was supportive of me leaving my traditional 9-5 job because he knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do. He doesn’t let me quit when I feel like i’m flailing. He’s my biggest cheerleader and always trying to help me find my next job.

So to every person who has ever recommended me to someone, to anyone who has ever read my blog or looked at my portfolio. To anyone who has ever endorsed me, or shared a facebook status, or contest or photo. To all the people who have given my business card to someone or mentioned me in their business or even just day. Thank you. I see it, and I try to always verbally appreciate it but I know I’m not there or aware of all of them. THANK YOU. It honestly brings me to tears sometimes. Maybe that’s because I’m one of those Highly Sensitive Personality people but it’s also because even the smallest gestures mean the world to me. You are saying you believe in me, and that I can do it. Because I think anyone who has started their own business, especially artists and creatives, know it can get ugly when you are the boss and creator and the team. And your thoughts often turn to negative ones about how you don’t measure up, and maybe that inquiry didn’t turn into a client because you simply aren’t good enough and is today the day you should just hang it up for good. I don’t want to, and all of you make sure it doesn’t happen.

Thank you for helping me, encouraging me, and supporting me. And to anyone out there thinking about plunging into the unknown and chasing after a dream I urge you to do it. It’s not always easy (actually it almost never is easy), but it’s worth it. Plus, I’ll be right there cheering you along.

And here are some cute photos of our dogs (mostly Huckleberry because he is better at letting me take his photo) because who doesn’t like cute dog photos?