Exhale giant sigh of relief.

That’s what was written on my to-do list for Monday.  Not a thing more.  Just exhale.  Sit back…relax…and take a very deep breathe.

I arrived home right around dinner time on Sunday evening the two most handsome faces I’ve ever seen.  As I dragged all of my luggage and camera gear through the door {to the smell of homemade lasagna no less!}…Steve gently grabbed my exhausted looking face in his hands, leaned in to kiss me and said “Congratulations…you did it!”

I did it.

I didn’t just make it home from a whirlwind weekend in Toronto that included my final wedding of the season, a client consult and an engagement session all in one twenty-four hour period.  I didn’t just survive the entire weekend while also being nearly thirty-five weeks pregnant.  But most importantly, I had completed my first season as a full-time photographer.

I did it.

I realize that for some people, this wouldn’t necessarily be considered a big deal.  Maybe even for most people it wouldn’t be considered a big deal.  But for me, it was about more than just having a successful year.  For me, it was also about passion…balance…the pursuit of something bigger than myself.  Purpose maybe?  Fulfillment?  All of the above?  Either way…I did it!

And even better than all of this is the fact that it’s been my best year yet.  I’ve experienced the most growth…the most fun…the most content feeling of comfort and confidence.  I feel that – as a photographer – my body of work has evolved more this year than any other.  As a business owner, I’ve refined my skills and work flow to allow for a level of balance and flexibility that I only once dreamed of.  As an individual, I have learned more about the person that I want to be and the life I want to live than at any other time in my life.  This – in my humble opinion – is the very definition of success.

I was asked over the weekend what I thought was the most important thing I learned during this past year and I think the answer to that would have to be learning to say no.   Two little letters.  One very big word.  Sarah Ban Breathnach once wrote “Blessed is the woman who knows her limits” and frankly, I couldn’t agree more.  Recognizing my limits…accepting my limits…and most importantly, respecting my limits.  This has perhaps changed the way I run my business {and life!} more than anything else.  I also thinks it’s the most valuable thing that I’ve learned to date.  God bless the classroom of life!

So there you have it!  I haven’t been overly productive during these last few days as I’m still finding myself recovering from all of the excitement that Toronto had to offer, but pretty soon, it will be time to wrap it all up.  A few final edits…one gorgeous album…and a wee bit of paperwork.  After that…I will officially declare a self-induced “time out” devoted entirely to an overdose of play time with my son…cracking open the Christmas cookie recipe book…a few good naps…and of course, preparing {as best as one can!} for our next big project; our daughter!

What can I say?  It’s been quite a ride and don’t they always say to go out with a bang?  So thank you, Toronto…you couldn’t have done it any better!