Welcome to 2020 everyone! Can you believe we made it? I remember New year’s eve of 1999 like it was just yesterday. I was only in the 8th grade or so and my whole family was preparing for the unknown. Here we are 20 years later. Personally, my life has changed so much since 1999 that it is hard to fathom. Here I am with 3 kids, lots of great friends and my small business Touch of Joy Photography. I am truly blessed.
2019 has been one of the most challenging years of my life so far. Heartbreak, loss, trauma, moving more than I’d like to admit and the business slowing down because of the instability. Luckily, I have a very solid group of family and friends who have helped me get through these trying times. 2019 wasn’t all bad though, it taught me so much about life, love and what truly matters to me. My three girls, Lilly claire and Emma are what I truly live for. I am always trying to do my best and set a good example for them. I want them to remember to always be strong when life throws you curveballs. I often try to view my life as if it’s a story in some grand book. You can’t have an interesting story without some drama, heartbreak, and loss right?. For me, 2020 is about turning the chapter of my book and changing the story from what feels like a failure to freedom and triumph.
I was fortunate enough to witness Oprah Winfrey’s commencement speech to Colorado College’s 2019 graduates back in May. I am sure many of you have heard this quote before, but I’d like to share it with you all, as it has stuck with me since then, “Life is always working out for you”. Even when times are tough, life is always trying to teach you something. I’ve noticed this for years now and it really helps me to understand more about the happenings in my life.
I am grateful to be entering my 5th year in business here in Colorado Springs. I have been a photographer for over 10 years, 5 years of which were in Hawaii and Kansas. Statistics show that around 50 % of small businesses fail within the first 5 years. To be honest with you all, I thought I might lose the business in 2019 but I didn’t, and I don’t plan on allowing that to happen any time soon for that matter! I have some cool ideas for 2020 that will help steadily get Touch of Joy back on her feet. So far, this career had been a true success in my eyes. Money isn’t everything, but having a flexible schedule to take care of my girls while being a single mom and being able to do what I love is simply priceless.
So with all of that being said,
Happy New Year!
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart
to my family, my three children, and my amazing friends for all of your support in 2019
and to all of my fans and beautiful customers- especially to those who return year after year to support Touch of Joy Photography. It truly means the world to me when you choose me out of all the other amazing photographers in Colorado Springs.
To close out this long post, I am sharing my favorite images taken in 2019
Enjoy~
