“She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings.”
Where do I even begin with this blog post? First and foremost, I want to express my genuine and deep gratitude to my tribe of friends that made this weekend so memorable, empowering and rejuvenating! It was exactly what the doctor ordered!
I took back-to-back punches in 2019 and headed into 2020 with my head held high and my spirits lifted and ready to face an amazing year. A new start, exciting changes and a wedding! I know I have spoken about the house fire many times in my last few blogs but it was definitely one of the most challenging things I have ever faced and is an experience that has invaded so many spaces of my life. At this point, I am healing and moving into a more positive place mentally and emotionally regarding that.
Fast forward and here we are somewhere in the unforgettable year of 2020 and, well, sometimes you find out that the road you are on leads you unexpected places and people aren’t always who you thought they’d be. And sometimes you surprise even yourself and realize that you are far stronger than you ever thought possible! I’ll spare all of the details but 2020 has turned out drastically different than it looked heading into it and I am a much stronger, healthier and happier woman & mom because of it!
This past weekend I was lucky enough to travel to Wilmington to spend the weekend at the beach for what was once my bridal portrait weekend (as fate would have it, it’s also a year to date of the fire). I won’t lie and say that I have been all smiles leading up to this weekend because the last couple of months have been heavy with heartache, but I certainly left this weekend with a full heart, a genuine smile and I feel stronger than I ever imagined! If I had to choose one word to sum up the way I feel after this weekend it is empowered! To start, this place was INCREDIBLE and so beautiful!
We arrived on Friday and headed out on a gorgeous evening boat ride – such a refreshing way to start the weekend! My sweet girl Reagan came along for the weekend fun and made it that much more special… I am SO thankful for all of the fun things she gets to experience with me.
My super talented photographer friend, Kam (Kam Goodrich Photography), insisted that I make this weekend extra fun and memorable with a boudoir shoot and a mama&me shoot with my mini! I could not be more appreciative that she suggested this and was willing to do this for me because I am in LOVE with these pictures! Not to mention, the entire boudoir session will make any woman feel ABSOLUTELY FIERCE!
I cannot fail to mention my friend Sarah, who gifted her love and attention to my daughter while I enjoyed my time having my hair and makeup done and being in FRONT of the camera for a nice change! Y’all, get you a friend like Sarah!! She is the BEST.
Overall, I am realizing that sometimes it’s okay to not be okay, but it’s NOT okay to stay there. Learn from it, grow from it and be better for it! And that is what I plan to continue to do!
Xoxo – Ashley
I love you and I love this! So proud of you for all you have accomplished this year, and for the amazing mama you continue to be for miss Reagan.