who is that girl

Since announcing this blog to the world I have gotten SO MUCH positive feedback! It is just amazing to receive support from friends all over the world. I've even reconnected with a few friends from High School! And it's been a while since HS even though it doesn't seem like it my, does time fly!

Now don't ask how long it's been, it doesn't matter how many years- just take my word for it that it's been longer than I feel like. I can't begin to explain how grateful I am for this feeling of support. Let's just say I may have shed a tear or two of excitement when I saw the stats of how many times my blog was viewed. I sit here still in disbelief that something I've done- something so small- can affect so many people.

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Now what I'm about to share is for all of you (actually, sorry guys! This one's for the ladies.) It's something that has been on my mind lately. It's personal, and part of the reason I started this whole blog thing. I have spoken to many friends about this and honestly, we need each other! We need reminders of our strength. We need to giggle about the OMG-I-just-spilled-coffee-on-my-white-shirt-AGAIN moments. So this is something to remind us all about the beauty in life. Let's face it, it is a struggle sometimes! And maybe it's a struggle for a while, however long your season may be, but looking back (like how long ago HS was) it doesn't actually seem as tough as we once thought. And now we're stronger and smarter, right?

| Be strong and courageous, do not be frightened and dismayed: for the Lord your God is with you wherever you you go | Joshua 1:9 | 

So, in the spirit of sisterhood, where to begin?
What started in my mind as a simple explanation of "who is that girl" has now been quite the challenge. Just thinking how to say this shows just how mixed up it is to be "that girl." My whole point is to showcase that we are all that girl. Maybe it is just partly. Maybe you will resonate with one or two of these feelings. Maybe you have felt them all! My point is that without these characteristics, we wouldn't be who we are. Who we are makes the world just as it is. Without you as you are, the world literally would not be the same. (Think butterfly effect.) I am thankful to you to have you in the world with me, and thankful to know you. Because of you, there are so many beautiful things. Sharing good news with a friend. Sharing a bottle of wine on the couch in PJs because it's snowing outside and staying in felt better than going out. Listening and learning to each other's stories and struggles opens our eyes and brings us all closer.

So, who is that girl?

That girl is a lover and a fighter.
It has taken 30 years to feel comfortable in her own skin, without makeup or in a swimsuit. Black is her favorite color. White is an exciting new slate. Light blues and pinks make her happy.
She is a planner yet dares to live susceptible to spontaneity.  She is a perfectionist but loves things that naturally show imperfections. She is brave to try new things, experiences, adventures, food. She is also timid at meeting new people and is frightened to be alone. She believes in the Lord and His love, yet continually feels short of deserving such love. She helps friends when they call, and sometimes feels indebted when asking for a hand to help her. She thrives on the support of family, and friends who are family, yet also enjoys time alone.

The fresh air of the springtime sprigs thrills her. The brisk winds of winter refresh her. The warm summer beams of sunlight warm the entirety of her body into her core. Falling leaves bring peace and a reminder that the seasons are changing, and there's always a chance in life to begin anew.

That girl endlessly seeks adventure and unfamiliarity. That girl enjoys the comforts of fluffy pillows and oversized sweaters at home. That girl rests in the simple pleasure of puppy kisses. She struggles to remember why she wants more fur babies when the house is constantly covered in hairballs. She runs on fumes to get everything checked off the to-do list. She lives on multiple cups of caffeine a day. She indulges in the sweet stuff, be it cupcakes or a Netflix binge. She does what is needed to make a house a home and always has open arms for those who just need a hug.

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That girl desires to always be better. She puts her time aside to help others succeed. She invests her free time to help herself succeed. She works all hours of the night to move up in her career. She gets passed over for a promotion, twice. Sometimes she feels like it is not worth it. She does everything she feels like she has to do and never feels like it is good enough. She goes to the gym regularly. She eats ice cream out of the tub. She works out by chasing her babies around keeping them from writing on the walls or smearing who-knows-what all over themselves.

She gets her hair done, her nails done, her eyebrows done and eyelashes filled to adhere to the newest beauty standards. She goes to the salon to make herself feel better, to treat herself and remind her that she is her own kind of beautiful and she deserves to feel good about herself. She feels like she is always running late, no matter how hard she tries to be on time. She prays about her husband and their marriage. She prays to be blessed with children. She worries about her children- is she good enough to them?

That girl tries to fit in. She wonders why she wasn't invited. She knows she is awesome, and tries to not let it get to her but it still does. That girl persists. She smiles. She volunteers whenever possible. She bakes cookies for fundraisers. She takes walks to clear her mind. She snuggles in a chair and reads a good book. She calls her in-laws. She makes plans with her grandmother. She reads The Word. She is reminded of His greatness while hiking through lush forestry. She never thinks she can pack only a carry-on, but somehow always manages.

That girl worries about her future. She wants everything to be perfect. She stresses over things that may not matter in the long run, and she does it anyway. She can't keep up with technology. She tries to watch her footprint in the world and recycle.

She forgets to buy eggs- again- and has to return to the store for the third time this week. She loves high heels, but for sake of practicality of them has a shelf in the closet that go untouched. She is simply delighted by flowers. Flowers in field, or fresh flowers in a vase on the kitchen table. She unfortunately has a black thumb.

She has a good cry during her favorite TV show. She chooses sides in the latest Housewife drama. She has aches and pains she has never had before and realizes she is getting older. She looks in the mirror and notices her body changing- again. She wishes for a moment to be younger again. She envisions a house with children running around in the front yard. She wants to sit on the front porch with her husband of 20+ years.  She wants to be the grandmother that spoils her grandchildren. She wants to have a story to tell, and she wants her life to be her greatest story.

Friends, may your life be your greatest story. May you keep on fighting and growing through the hard times. May you reach out, lean on, hold on to each other. We are all "that girl." Support your sisters and may we all understand we are all in this together. Our bonds to each other are the most simple forms of beauty. Let's remember that and celebrate how beautifully simple it is to love. Remember how beautiful and unique your individuality is.

You've got this, girl!

Photography by Kristin @ Kristin Ariel Photography
You can see more about her in my Photography post