Hey everyone! Thank you so much for all your encouragement and input this past week- it definitely helped me out while I was choosing the perfect outfit to wear for my portrait session with Shelley! I just got back last night and had an AMAZING time in Buffalo, Minnesota. I learned so much and can’t wait to put everything into practice. Here are a few photos from my trip- hope they’ll give you a better feel of what my last few days were like! : )

So. My trip started EARLY Tuesday morning. My cousin (THANKS JEFF!) drove me to the airport at 4:20am so I could make my flight at 6. This is how dark it was outside! After checking in I had a good while to just sit and rest, take a few photos.

About two hours later I arrived in Denver and had another hour to rest before catching my next flight. I journaled and ate and looked over directions for Shelley’s place.

Okay. This is where things get a bit emotional. Flying out to Minnesota was a BIG DEAL for me. I knew I wanted my portraits taken this year since it’s my GOLDEN YEAR, but when Shelley first brought up the idea of flying out to her, I thought it was a bit crazy. I’ve never taken a trip for myself and I wondered if it would be too selfish of me to go? But the more I thought about how I just needed to take this opportunity and really live, I knew I had to do it- for myself, for my dreams, for my business. After all, it is my golden year! But even then, it took a lot for me to go. I usually like to stick with what’s familiar so the thought of visiting a place I’ve never been to and know nothing about sounded a bit intimidating. Renting my own car seemed so grown-up and what if I crashed it?! There was so much on my mind even as my plane landed…

Oh, but God knew all of that and he knew just what I needed. When I got to the car rental place, the Dollar man asked if I wanted an upgrade for just a little more each day. When I told him I was fine with the small car I had booked, he nodded and upgraded my car anyway..just for fun, and with no additional fee! I drove out of that parking lot feeling pretty blessed.

I finally arrived at Shelley’s place after a long drive. She welcomed me with a big hug and gave me a quick tour of the house and of her studio. Then, she told me she had a surprise for me. Surprised about the surprise, I put my things down and followed her downstairs. Shelley picked up an envelope from her dining table and handed it to me- I was a bit confused at this point, wondering who in the world would write me (and send it to MN!), but quickly opened the envelope to find a card inside, and inside the card, a big fat check to take care of my expenses. My eyes scanned the card and saw that it was signed by many of my friends at home. I didn’t have to read the whole card (well, I couldn’t have anyways, because I was in tears at this point!) to know that they were sending their love (to MN!). I was so shocked, so WOWed, and completely overwhelmed. They went behind my back, contacted Shelley, and arranged this whole thing without me knowing…I couldn’t believe it! Yes, I am blessed!

So this was the start of my fabulous few days in Minnesota. Things just kept getting better and better from there and I will definitely get into more details as I process this trip some more. Here’s a sneak-peek of what I wore for my photoshoot, by the way! I will keep the rest a surprise until I get my photos back! : )

(These next two photographs I took yesterday as I was journeying home.)

Oh, what a blessed week! I had so much fun and can’t wait to share more with you soon!