What Led Me Here...

"Every choice you have made has led you to this moment. - Darth Maul.

You know that saying "life's too short"?  As cliche as it sounds, it's so very true. Life IS too short, so take risks while you can.  Every good adventure starts with a risk.  If it scares you, then it's the one that will help you grow, one way or another.

Born and raised in a small town in Ohio, I've always dreamed about leaving and living my life outside of the cornfields I grew up by. Fast forward to the summer of 2021, I got a taste of life in the mountains.  While visiting family in Priest Lake, Idaho, I quickly fell in love with the feeling that place gave me.  This trip happened right after my engagement fell through, so it was truly a breath of fresh air.  I got the chance to clear my head and figure out my next life path, all while being surrounded by what my soul craved.  Shortly after that trip, an opportunity to move out west presented itself to me.   I sat on this opportunity for nine months... After all that time, it was still on my mind, so I knew the risk was worth taking. I was scared, but felt in my bones that it would be life-changing.  The event to drive me to my final decision was losing my grandfather right before Christmas in 2021.  That man lived such a long and good life, with a plethora of stories, life lessons and adventures.  His passing reminded me, again, that life's too short. It was then that I knew what I truly wanted.

Jumping to March of 2022, I visited Idaho once again & made the official decision that I would be moving.  When June arrived, I packed up my car, picked up my best friend & started the drive across the United States.  Exploring different states and seeing national parks with my best friend and my cat was an adventure all in it's own! Those are memories I will forever cherish.  As soon as I got to my new home in the PNW, my life was a legit rollercoaster.  No, the road was not easy. (It never is, right?) There honestly was a long period of time where I didn't even pick up my camera.  I was in a new place, my emotions were all over the board, I was very far away from my family and I had NO clue what I was doing. Did I regret taking that risk? HELL NO. It pushed me harder to become the person I am today.

Now, after living in the PNW for almost three years, I have truly made a life for myself.  Currently living in Spokane, I’m happy to say that I'm gaining traction with my photography again.  I have a wonderful support system here of friends and family, I'm living my best life in the mountains, and it's honestly all thanks to taking that risk.