The Same Level.

I had a wonderful day shopping with my mom.

For starters it was a beautiful day here in Ohio, high of seventy degrees, bright blue sky, sunshine and lots of puffy white clouds. The weather was perfect, everything was. It was one of those days that make you realize why you put up with the usually raining, overcast Ohio. It was a gem, truly a gift from God.

That aside, my mom and I had a fantastic day. We drove (got lost) on a detour in the country on the way to the mall. Neither of us got much, I only went home with two new sports bras, a green crew neck and the cutest pair of floral embroidered ankle booties (on killer sale), but we talked and laughed and just enjoyed each others company. We had a yummy Panera lunch where we coincidentally ordered the exact same meal – half a chipotle chicken panini, half a Greek salad and berry tea, ate and then went home. It was great, absolutely no bickering or annoyances. I think that this is the first time I’ve really truly felt on the same level as my mom. It was like we weren’t just having a mother-daughter day but rather a date between two best friends. I know she will always be mother, and I will always look to her and respect her in that way, but it feels like I gained something today – a new best friend. I love that. I have always been fond of our relationship, but I am absolutely in love with how’s it’s transforming into something new and a little bit different. I enjoy talking as equals, listening to advice and sharing stories. I think I may even respect her more because of it.

I love my mom.

Being A Kid.

This is my last night being eighteen. I thought I’d have more to say about this event, but I really don’t. I spent it watching The Office season three with my mom. Cory has to work in the morning so he couldn’t stay up past eight, he dropped me off at five. When I first found out my birthday was on a Saturday I was super excited because he always has the weekends off and we could stay up late and welcome the day. Oh we’ll. On the bright side he has a fun rest of the weekend planned for us: Columbus to help me move into my apartment, the bookstore, Piada, snuggles and then Cosi in the morning. I am very much looking forward to all this, maybe it will keep my mind off of my birthday: I’m not a huge fan of birthdays.

Eighteen had been great to me know that I take the time to think of it, a wonderful first year of college, a year anniversary, an amazing job with amazing opportunities (my first birthday card, which I received today, was from my boss, it had a twenty five dollar gift card to AMC theater – it’s good to feel appreciated). I only got carded once, buying sparklers for my mom, which was kind of a bummer, but now that I think about it if you’re getting carded it’s probably not good for you so maybe this isn’t such a bad thing.

I realize that now I am rambling, which is kinda ironic considering at the beginning of this post I said I didn’t have a lot to say. I just feel that this is a significant point in my life and I should record how I feel, which is actually kind of hard cause my emotions are currently kinda jumbled.

Eighteen wasn’t so bad, here’s hoping nineteen will be even better. Good things are coming. They say age is just a number, I just wish everyone would stop pointing out that this is my last year as a teen (which I realize I should probably be rejoicing about). In my head though it means I only have one year left of being a kid, and that’s a pretty scary thought.

—–

Rachael and I worked out today then went to the fair. Cory picked us up and we hung out in McDonalds for around two hours. He and I then got Uncle Mikes. I got a sherbet vanilla twist and they gave me a happy face on it because I knew the girl working the window. I like to think of it as a nice pre-birthday gift.

A Summer Moment.

I just wanted to take the time to record my yesterday.  It was wonderful.  I’ve been struggling with some things lately and I can finally say that I’m in a good place once again.

Cory and I both stayed the night at a friends the night of her graduation party.

We woke up and he took me home to shower and change, next we went to his house so that he could do the same.

Then he took me into town and treated me to brunch at Bob Evans.  He had a breakfast platter with eggs over easy, cubed potatoes, sausage and french toast.  I had half of a turkey, bacon melt sandwich and a cup of loaded baked potato soup.  We shared a bottomless carmel mocha (delicious) and he commented how whenever you go somewhere they take forever to bring you any fancy coffee refills so that you can’t drink “too much”.

We then spent the afternoon at the flee market, digging through boxes and reminiscing.  He bought me the cutest beanie babe seal named Iceburg and I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face.

After the market he took me to see Despicable Me 2.  It was amazing, maybe even better than the first.  I took Iceburg with me inside.

On the way home he held my hand and simply said “Now this is a ‘summer moment.'”  I couldn’t have agreed anymore.

Once we were at my house he helped me set up for the shoot I’d been dreaming of for awhile (see image below).

He left and my lovely girls came to be photographed.

After the session we headed to Shantels to swim.  Instead of swimming we ate hamburgers and Fritos and played Apples to Apples.

It truly was the perfect day.

To see more of my photography work check out my Facebook page here.

<3 Kaitlyn

Storybook Life.

It feels good to be home.  It feels good to be seeing friends I wasn’t so good at keeping up with throughout the school year.  It’s almost as if my freshmen year of college didn’t even happen and it is so weird.  It feels as if nothing has changed, like I’m still stuck in high school doing mediocre things in a mediocre town.  Then I begin to think.  I think that in one month I’ll be moved into my own apartment, I think that in two months I’ll begin my sophomore year of college, I think that in seven months I’ll have been with Cory for two whole years, I think that in eleven months I’ll be finishing that same sophomore year of college and I think that in thirteen months I just might have a ring on my finger.  

Holy cow.

Maybe I think too much.  It freaks me out sometimes when I break it down and realize just how quickly time is moving and just how little control I have over any of it.  I have to force myself to step back and think about my list of thoughts, the wonderful milestones I’m about to reach.  I have to remind myself that it’s all in God’s hands, that he has my back and knows better than anyone what wonderful things my future holds.  These thoughts take the fears of the unknown away from me and I am left with nothing but excitement.  This excitement is often mistaken for impatience, but I promise that I would never wish away time.  It’s just that sometimes I cannot wait to see what I’ll do, who I’ll become.  I am sooo excited to walk down the aisle, graduate school, start a business, meet my kiddos and live happy after with my Cory.  Who wouldn’t be?  In my eyes thats a storybook life.

I realize I’ve jumped wayyy ahead of myself here, so I’ll take it back to today.  I am going to reflect on what June 2, 2013 offered me.  It gave Cory and I both headaches which kept us from church, but he came over anyways and we snuggled and napped them away.  It gave me two graduation party’s in which I got to see many long lost faces.  It gave me a chance to see my friends for the second time in a weekend at Need’s Campground, eating tacos and hitting a piñata in honor of Joe.  It gave me a chance to be forgiven for being a huge butt.  It gave me a chance to say I’m sorry and the opportunity to have the most wonderful time with Cory.  These gifts are my now, a now that I am in love with.  They keep me from running full force into my future, a future that I am also in love with.  Basically I’m leading a life that I’m in love with, and that is something that Cory has told me some people spend their whole lives searching for.  I am blessed.

Jump Right In.

I had such a wonderful time with my friends last night.  I had such a wonderful time dancing to old songs in my back yard.  I had such a wonderful time staying up until four am just talking with some very lovely girls.  I don’t want to give any of this up.  I don’t think that I have to, but I think that I’m ready to grow up – grow old – with this kid (Cory).

This kid who..

..makes me smile.

..takes me dancing.

..holds my hand.

..cuddles me awake.

..keeps me laughing.

..steals my kisses.

..watches chick flicks.

..listens to my stories.

..takes me on adventures.

..encourages me to dream.

..loves me unconditionally.

He’s the one.  I knew I loved him before we started dating in January of 2012 but I didn’t say it right away.  He is my best friend and soul mate and I’m ready to begin my life with him.  I don’t think I’m rushing things, I never understood why people who knew they were with the one waited so long to get married.  I know that were young, but why not?  If you’re going to grow old together why not grow up together?

These are the questions I’ve been asking myself over and over and I can’t seem to come up with a good answer, not for me anyway.  I believe that every love story is different.  I love mine.  I love the person who is helping me write it.  I am not taking this time for granted, I am loving every single second of it.  I love my now, but it would be nice to fall asleep with him every night and wake up with him every morning (among other things).  It’s hard being away sometimes.  I want that to be gone.  I’m ready.  I’m trying so hard to be patient and I know that when the time is right it’ll happen.  This is just how I’m feeling at this point in my life and I wanted to write it down so that I will never forget.  I’ll never forget this yearning, this need to be closer.  I can look back after were wed and remember how hard all of this waiting truly is.

I am so ready to jump right in..

..I think that he is too.

These News…

It has been far to long since I’ve written down my thoughts.

A lot has changed since then.

New hair.

New city.

New friends.

New experiences.

New school.

New chapter of life.

A whole lot of new, but still a lot of same.

Same face.

Same state.

Same friends.

Same memories.

Same passions.

Same me.

Maybe someday soon I’ll elaborate on of few of these sames, many of these news.

But until then know I’m alive, I’m sane and I’m enjoying this adventure we often refer to as life.

A life filled with laughter and love, challenges and excitement.  I’ll fill you in soon – promise.

Until then, have a blessed week.  And if by chance we never speak again, remember you are loved..

..until infinity <3

Darling, Don’t…

Darling, you were made to do great things.

Don’t listen to those who tell you you can’t.

Don’t surround yourself with people who doubt.

Don’t fall into societies “norm”.

Don’t turn your back on your morals.

Don’t forget where you came from.

Don’t give up when the going gets tough.

Don’t be afraid to shine.

Don’t forget to thank your friends and family.

Don’t over think the little things.

Don’t take this life for granted.

Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith.

Don’t forget to give God all the glory.

And don’t you ever settle for anything less than your best.

…

I’d Be Lost…

Yes I know, it’s been awhile.  So much time apart, so many memories and moments left uncaptured, stories left untold.  But I’m back – at least for now.  And this is what I have to say – to share.  I was scrapbooking today in hopes of preserving my life thus far before my graduation party when I came across a poem I had written my sophomore year.  And since I have been in a particularly sentimental mood as of lately I’ve decided to share.

My Friend
We walked on waters, waded through weeds,
talked for hours, tired and teased,
shared our sorrows, saddened the same,
treasured tomorrows, new adventures to tame.
We watched and wondered, wide eyed we wept,
cradling comforts, crazy secrets we’ve kept,
awaking adventures, alone and afraid,
magically magnificent, the memories we’ve made.

This post is dedicated to them – my friends.  The people who know all of my faults, yet love me anyways.  Without them I’d be lost, without them I’d be incomplete.

To Cory.

To Rachael.

To Candace.

To Erika.

To Heather.

To Kyle.

To Donny.

To Joe.

To Erin.

To Adam.

To Audrey.

To Sarah.

And to everyone else.

I love you guys.

Amazing Paths…

Today I am keeping it short and sweet.

This is what God has placed on my heart, an wonderful bit of wisdom I’ve decided to share with you.

I’m beginning to see that if your doing what you love and following your heart you can’t go wrong. It doesn’t matter what anyone else may say or think, your dreams can take you anywhere – just so long as your willing to follow wherever it is they may lead ♥

Two weeks after graduation and they’re already taking me down some pretty amazing paths.  Thank you to God for opening up these doors, I am sooo excited to discover what my futures holds.

PS) This past weekend I performed in my final dance recital, since my feelings towards that are still a jumbled up mess in my head I’ve decided to wait a few days before I touch on the subject.

 

A Moment…

A moment.

I often find myself waiting for certain things, memories, moments.

The turning of my tassel.

In my head I thought that that moment would be one of the biggest in my life.  That in that instant the world as I knew it would change.

I was wrong.

It wasn’t nearly as exciting as I’d always imagined, not nearly as memorable.

What was?

Slip-n-sliding with my friends the next day.

I guess my point is this.  That when we plan our “big” moments, waiting patiently until they come, we miss out on what truly matters – life.  Because it isn’t the “big” moments that define us but the “little” ones.

In my head that one action was supposed to define me, to start me on the path to my future.  In reality it’s not that black and white.  I started down that road long before I moved my tassel from one side to the other.  It wasn’t in one “big” defining moment but in thousands of “little” ones.

It was in the friendships, the laughs, the tears, the sweat, the excitement, the pain, the heartache, the prayers, the hugs, the kisses, the handshakes, the parties, the sermons, the fears, the losses, the deaths and in new life.

These are the moments I’ll always remember.

These are the moments that have defined who I am, who I’ll become.

A moment.

Some “big” most “little“.

A memory.

A stories beginning.

The BIG moment..

The LITTLE ones.

<3 Kaitlyn