A Jersey Thanks and I Don’t GTL | New Jersey Love | Personal

Everyone knows I’m from NJ. And no I don’t GTL.  In fact, I don’t think anyone who lives there actually does that for real. Everyone knows how much passion and love I have for the little Garden State. I’m a true Jersey girl. My family is still there. Some of my best friends (most whom I have known for almost 30 years) are still there.  It’s my home and heart, and next month will be 8 years since I left there.

 

It seems like just yesterday I was cleaning out my room at my dad’s, getting nostalgic with my brother and sister and packing up my childhood room. Honestly, I still go back and get nostalgic in my childhood room, but I am a “cling to the past and memories” type of girl. Bad trait? No way!! Memories and some things of the past rock. I embrace it. (Even though I may cry when I hear certain songs that remind me of certain times..anyhoo…)

“You’re going to Jersey? AGAIN?!!”.  I get this every other month from someone when I travel there so often. Almost like it’s a bad thing, I am going there. “Doesn’t the traveling bother you? Are you taking the kids?  Wow, I can’t believe you are going again”…seriously, I hear this every trip.  I am extremely grateful I get to travel there every other month, and although the 6-7 hour ride can be tiresome at times….it’s really nothing compared to my times there. QT with my brother & sister. Dinner with parents.  Drinks with my in-laws.  Showing up at your best friend’s house totally uninvited. Meeting one of your best friend’s baby for the 1st time. Getting to capture memories for 10 different families with a round of “Mini Sessions”. Pure awesomeness.

Without this amazing thing called photography, most of those times spent there in the past year, would not of been possible without it.  I am truly grateful to all my NJ clients who want ME to take pictures of them, their children, pets and home.  Most of these people I know in some way, which makes it that much more awesome. We went to high school together. Our parents/sister/brother/aunt knew each other.  We were best friends as kids. Friends of my friends. Friends of friends of my uncles best friend’s daughter. No really. This is how NJ is, and I absolutely love it.

For such a small state, we are like this tight knit group of people with heart, love and maybe a little attitude. I’m not saying we are better than everyone and I am not trying to come across that way at all, but I think we have a lot of heart and love in things we do and people we know.  Hurricane Sandy anyone? 

Let’s be real. Moving away is pretty cool. I actually love Virginia Beach and all the awesome people & clients I have met here, most of my friends here in VA will be my friends for life. I totally have my own little life here now, but my home will always be NJ. It will always be in my blood and have a piece of my heart. So as I continue to grow my business in VA, I am totally beyond stoked to be able to do it 7 hours away in NJ as well. I love you all, and the most humblest thank you to my NJ loves. xo.