Day 1 | Orlando Wedding Photographer

Day 1 of our estimated 111 day without Papi. For the next roughly 111 days I am a single mother. For those of you who don’t know Travis joined the National Guard. I dropped him off yesterday in Tampa for his departure for basic training. He will spend the next 16 weeks at Fort Benning in Georgia “playing solider” as Mavey calls it. 16 weeks without my best friend. Not sure how this is going to go.

Travis has always wanted to “play solider” since I met him. Each year on his birthday he came to me and mentioned it and I always found a reason and told him no he cannot do it. This year he came to me and reminded me it was his final year he was eligible and he was going to do it. I couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time because all those years I put up a fight and said no but this year was different. I knew I could not do that. This has been a dream of Travis’ since before we even met. I couldn’t ask him to give that up. He is my biggest supporter and fan when it comes to my photography and business. He was always and still is pushing me to follow my dreams. Begging and pleading was not an option for me this year. As much as it pained me to say it I just said “OK”. I thought he was going to pass out on the table. I think he prepared a whole speech and had the pro’s and con’s and a big plan to convince me. He just stared at me for a second like “what, are you feeling ok”. I couldn’t bear the thought of him never following his dreams or me not supporting him. That was 7 months ago. Wow, have the last 7 months flew by. I cannot believe the day is finally here. It is going to be so weird not seeing his face everyday or hearing his voice. I am not sure how the boys are going to do. Especially, Maverick. We talked about it with him a lot but I don’t truly think he understands it. I think he thinks Travis is back on nights. Last night he asked “what time will Papi be home tomorrow so we can play?” talk about tugging at the strings kid. He immediately got sad and gave me the sad lip. Travis talked with him about writing letters to each other. He said ” well, momma you have to write him a letter, you have to tell him to come home so we can go camping” It was so cute. I sure do hope this next 16 weeks flies by for Mav’s sake. Travis does get a little break where we can drive up and visit. We just don’t know when yet. I know Maverick is going to be so excited. Raylan is young enough that he may not notice. I hope. He was sort of clinging to Travis the last two weeks. This next 16weeks is going to be a challenge. Exciting, scared and crazy 16 weeks. Between wedding season kicking into gear and keep up with the house, the boys, family activities, I can totally see lots of gray hairs in my future. 🙂 While I know it is going to be challenging I am little excited. Scared but excited. I am going to use the next 16 weeks get as much done on the business and spend all my free time with the boys. So Day 1 begins. Time to sit down and create a schedule. All my free nights when the boys go to bed where I would hang out with Travis is going to be dedicated to getting caught up on old projects and getting in shape.

Day 1 of catching up. Here we go. I have a few pics from my workshop back in January with Branches & Light. Yes, back in January, I know. Can we say SLACKER!!! I’ve been a little busy lately with tons of goodness and getting ready for when Travis left. 🙂 It is on now. Look out here I come. I hope. 🙂

The workshop was wonderful. It was so great to meet all the wonderful ladies. Thank you to Caroline & Nancy for putting together a wonderful day. I have to say my favorite part of the day was Caroline’s segment on “Fear” I felt like when she was talking that she was telling my story. I have no idea why I live in such fear when it comes to my business but it has been something I have been struggling with for a while. Her talk about fear opened my eyes to a lot. I have been practicing and repeating some of Caroline’s words in my head and to myself. This has helped tremendously. I still have a way to go but I am getting there. Thank you Caroline speaking about this topic. You have no idea how much you have helped me. You are truly inspiring to me.

So while at the workshop we got a little time for some much needed as I call “Photo-Therapy” I don’t have much to post considering during the shooting time I think I just sat there and watched everyone else and was totally soaking in all I had learned during the 1st half of the day and thinking about what coming during the 2nd half of the day. Part of my catching up is to edit more photos from that workshop. 🙂 Here are just a few from that day.

Have a wonderful week everyone! Stayed tuned for some more catching up. Enjoy!