Dear Journal,

You ever met someone who you just KNEW was truly someone special? That the very essence of them was something magical? I have and her name is Dayna.

I can’t quite put my finger on it…maybe it’s the way her smile lights up any room she’s in…maybe it’s her unapologetic sass. It could be her giving heart or the way she beams with pride when she talks about her husband and children. Whatever it is about Dayna that draws me to her, I can’t get enough of it.

I met Dayna a few years ago when I lived in Florida. We’re a part of the same sorority and though I didn’t get to know her well before I moved away, I always kept up with her though social media. When I came back down, I was honored enough to capture her as part of her birthday celebration! She was my first session since having J’Aiden and I am so grateful for her being so patient with me throughout her session! There were times I had to stop, nurse and cater to him and she was totally understanding! Talk about a dream client!

 

Throughout her session, we did what women do: we talked! I always love chatting with clients during their shoot because it’s way for us to connect on a deeper level and I always walk away learning something. We must have talked about everything from faith to marriage and everything in between! With Dayna, I walked away reminded of something important.

Never apologize for being you.

Dayna is a woman that lives life according to her rules. She marches to the beat of her own drum. She is who she is and what you see is what you get. So many times as young women, I think we put so much energy into trying to fit in that we forget that we were born to standout. You argue less, you live more intentionally and you put your energy into the things that matter. I feel like once we get to that point as people, we truly are unstoppable. It’s one of the things that stuck out to me because in her own way, it’s something how she’s learned as she’s gotten older:

“I found once I got into my 40s, I was perfectly content with just doing me. I no longer felt the need to try to prove anything to anybody.” 

When she said that, I felt like I could totally relate because this is something I’m just now starting to accept. For the longest time, I’ve felt like I’ve lived for other people…made decisions for other people. But I feel a shift happening within myself.No longer am I try to impress anyone at the expense of myself. I’m just now coming to peace with who I am and to live my life…to be exactly who God created me to be and not apologize for it is such a powerful thing. As I approach my 30s, there’s a confidence I’m beginning to experience that I haven’t before. I’m unapologetically being me and to see Dayna exude that same type of confidence made me admire her even more.

This past Sunday, I visited Dayna’s church and to watch how her daughter respected her, how proudly she talked about her son, how her husband loved her and how not one person passed up the chance to stop and say hello to her and give her a hug made it quite clear that this one special woman. I’m so grateful to have met this radiant soul.

Dayna, you are such a light…a graceful force.  To be in your presence, to capture you spirit was so very humbling. Thank you.