You Will...

Shit's getting done. The first paid photo shoot is done. Hallelujah. Editing is taking place. I met a family a couple years ago through Kijiji when I was out of a job and wanting to do some photography projects to keep busy. I photographed her family at the park  and she loved the photos I took for them. About a month ago she contacted me again and wanted to know if I was still taking photos. OF COURSE I’M STILL TAKING PHOTOS, it’s in my blood. My confession: I kinda lied. I told her that I now charge to take photos (I’ve never charged anyone). She agreed to my price like it was nothing, flattering really.  We met again last weekend and it was really nice to see how much her twin girls have grown.  I wish I could have had them stay a bit longer to get some more shots, but kids really don’t have the attention span an inspiring photographer needs. Overall I’m happy, and I think it might be a start. I’m thinking of posting another add on Kijiji soon to do some more things for strangers, make some more connections. It’s great creative expression for me to work on photos. It gives me the outlet I need. Here are just a few photos from last weekend family shoot:

Recently while cleaning up my computer I came across my “counseling folder”.  A folder in which houses a variety of old notes, and writing exercises my counselor has had me do over the last year and a half (I’ve not seen her in a while).  One of the exercises she had me write was “What’s Important to Me in a Partner”. A reflection of what it is that I value in a partner and what I feel I deserve. Life has a funny way of getting complicated, not to mention messy. When life happens things find a way of getting foggy. The list is just a visual reminder. It’s good to revisit when needed and remind yourself of the qualities in a person that are important to me. It’s been several months since I had read the list. Most things haven’t changed however there were some revisions made this week.

 You Will…

…have a smile that I’ll want to see every day, no matter what.
…make me a better person for knowing who you are and I’ll make you equally a better
    person as well.
…make me wonder, “Where have you been my whole life?”.
…make me feel like all the previous heartaches and breaks were so worth it.
…want to be invested in my life as much as I am in yours.
…be the person who I can count on to fix everything, or put an honest effort to try and fix,
    from the leaking toilet to me when I’ve had a bad day.
…inspire me to be the best person I know how to be.
…make me proud to hold your hand.
…make me count the days and hours when I can see you next.
…be genuine & authentic.
…never make me feel embarrassed to be your partner.
…spread love and light to those who know you, and even some who don’t.
…be the person I can’t stop talking about.
…leave a smile both on my face, and my heart.
…be considerate of others.
…have compassion.
…be someone who compliments my life and personality.
…have a soft heart & kind soul.
…be quirky and make me laugh.
…know just what to say on bad days to comfort me.
…be the kind of man who values honesty and integrity.
…be the man that will make just cuddling feel like it’s the most intimate experience ever.
…give me butterflies even after years of being together.
…be a man who never gives up and loses sight of WHAT and WHO is important in your life.
…be LOYAL.
…be someone who makes me feel like the only girl in the world.
…be a man who isn’t afraid to cry in front of me and who makes me comfortable enough that 
    I can cry in front of him.
…be someone who stops and makes me think “how did I get SO lucky?”
…make me feel like forever isn’t long enough!
…hold my heart in your hands and treasure it likes it’s the best gift in the world.

 I have 7 days of vacation left and I’m craving a sunny holiday BIG TIME. I’ve been fairly fortunate, in the last year I’ve been away down south twice. … and the truth is I’d LOVE to make that three times. Trying to make myself realize I can’t have everything I want is tough. I wanna smell the salty ocean mixed with the smell of pina coladas and sun tan lotion. *sigh* not this year I suppose. One year I’d love to spend Christmas away, totally checked out of the craziness, leave December 23^rd and come back in the New Year. I’ve not done this yet, but maybe one day!? For now I guess I will make due with an Epsom salt bath, light my candle called “ocean breeze” and lather myself in coconut body butter… totally not the same effect but hey, what can I say, it’s a mini vacation on a budget!

-J-