Dear world:

Today is my birthday!!! Today I turn 30. I’m more excited than is typically expected for a woman reaching this number. But then again, I’ve always loved birthdays. Not so much the celebration part (please don’t make me the center of attention!), but because it marks a new chapter, a new season, something fresh. I don’t like change, but I love growth— and birthdays, much like the new year, are the perfect time to turn over a new leaf, re-evaluate goals, do a thorough heart-check, and set good intentions for the upcoming year. It’s so, so refreshing, and I loooooooooooove it.

I went through Lara Casey’s Powersheets in January, as part of my “New Years Restart.” My word for 2015 is “Foundations”— it’s all about laying groundwork for future years. About digging in deep, doing work under the surface, in the quieter parts of my heart and life, to make it possible to flourish and grow and be fruitful in future years. It’s humbling to recognize the need for this— because it means that, most likely, the most important work (time, effort, investment) done this year probably won’t be seen by anyone. I would rather be in the fruitful season, rather than in the building season. But there’s also a lot of peace and comfort that comes with knowing this is how it’s supposed to be— deep, intentionally, digging in and doing the hard work now, both in business and in life, without the pressure of other people seeing it.

I’m so excited for all that I hope and pray that my 30th year will bring!

I know a lot of people who write “30 before 30” lists, as a countdown to that change of life stage. But I’m excited about being 30, so I want to celebrate by making a list of things to do while I’m 30. Some are deeply personal/private, but in case you want to follow along and celebrate with me, here is most of my list:

1. Run a half marathon (I’m training with my Mom! Isn’t that great?!?)
2. Lose 20 lbs
3. Learn hand lettering
4. Buy a house
5. Shoot 25 weddings
6. Host “Foodie Friday” once a month
7. Bike to Mount Vernon
8. Read 30 books
9. Memorize Ephesians
10. Create art to hang in our home
11. Teach a photography workshop (in just a few weeks!!!)
12. Have at least one wedding published in print
13. Do a yoga headstand
14. Book a wedding in Europe
15. Photograph an engagement session in New York City
16. See the Nutcracker at Christmastime
17. Vacation at the beach with my family
18. Take Buck to Colorado
19. Hike Old Rag to see the sunrise
20. Become comfortable with rest and inactivity
21. Teach theology to women at a conference
22. Get a dog
23. Drink a martini (I’ve never tried one!)
24. Photograph zebras (Becka, we’ve got to make this dream happen!!!!)
25. Go sailing in Annapolis with Buck
26. Create a “stones of remembrance” box for our family

And now I’m off to celebrate my birthday properly with my husband. HOLLA!!!!!!!! 

Photos by the ever-fabulous Abby Grace Photography