Bookworm

It's been coming for awhile now. I felt it. I tried to ignore it...I tried to push through it. I tried to tell myself that I was stronger than that - that I could press on. But I didn't realize until recently that it was causing me to lose myself.

I'm taking September off; originally I'd planned on August but opted instead for the possibility of fall in September. Now, I realize that I cant completely check out! Orders, emails, inquiries, all that jazz I'm still here. But, from September 6 {today} to September 30th I wont be blogging, twittering, facebooking, or taking on any shoots. I'm taking September off to just be me.

I need to read. I used to inhale books; I would finish a book in a day without thinking. I've read maybe three books these past few months. I want to read every book I can get my hands on. I want to wake up and go to a farmers market. I want to go to antique stores or lay out at the beach. I want to go out with my camera and just shoot things that strike me as inspiring. Not because I need practice and not because I'm shooting a couple or a family but for me. I want to revitalize my garden that's been seeing quite a bit of neglect these days. I want to finally tackle my office redesign. I want to cook something new every night for dinner with a nice glass of wine. I want to sit out on our back patio at sunset with Andrew. I want to experience my life again not as a photographer but as a person. Because I've lost a little bit of my person and it's made me run myself thin as a photographer.

There's this version of me inside my head...I dont know if I can be that person but it's who I want to be. And recently, as I sat at the coffee shop spending time in the word with my Father looking through the life of David that I realized something. My focus is off. David spent a great deal of his life out in creation learning God's heart. He didnt have this vision of the person he wanted to be, the king he wanted to be, or even the man of God he wanted to be. My focus should never be on bettering myself or of being a better version of myself. That's why I feel like I've been running in circles and that the more I try, the more clouded my life becomes. So that person in my head, that Cassie that I've been trying so hard to be? I'm throwing her away. She's not my focus anymore. I'm missing so much by comparing myself to her.

Someone said that it's considered lazy to put up a post saying they were going on vacation or out of town or whatnot. That same person said to pre-plan blog posts to publish themselves so that your online presence didnt just disappear for x amount of time. But you know, I'm okay with that. I'm okay with not putting myself out there for a month. The internet isnt going to break down because Olimb Photography is silent for 30 days. So here's to September...and I will see you all again in October.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Rachel and Joel: The Wedding

It had our own sentimental value. Quietly, as the guests were seated we glanced at one another. Rachel confidently and with her eyes fully locked onto her groom walked towards the very gazebo where Andrew asked me to be his forever. As Joel slid her wedding band onto her finger, I pressed my own against my skin...here is where I said yes to forever.

Dragonflies and butterflies flitted about the park, across the pond and above teary eyed guests. I walked slowly along the outskirts of the ceremony taking the time to really soak everything in. As Rachel and Joel's friends and family watched as they pledged their lives to one another, I watched as Rachel's sisters cried. I watched as Joel's family smiled and took video of every word. I breathed in the dewy air that held traces of the promise of fall and watched as the most amazing light poured across the pond and through the trees. Under that very gazebo, Rachel tried to hide her growing excitement and her smile began to burst. Under that very gazebo, they pledged forever.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Cathleen and Wesley: The Engagement

She was the freshman trying to find a ride home; he was the junior with the 88 LeBaron. She handed him a $1.00 for gas, because once upon a time, that was enough for a gallon or two and he drove her home. The entirety of the ride was stuffy and quiet. He assumed she was stuck up but little did he know, she was cowering in fear over what her dad would think of her being in a car with a boy. A year or more went by and the two lead their separate lives, neither having any idea that their soul mate was going to be thrust into their lives again a little while later.

Her first thought: "Seriously, I mean, he wears Timberland!" She rolled her eyes listening as her friends gushed about how cute he was and how they should go out. Any of you girls out there know that if a group of your closest girlfriends are trying to get you together with someone, you're probably not going to able to say no for very long. As their first date came to a close and the credits for Casper began to roll, Wes leaned over to Cathleen and ever so sweetly asked if she would be his girl. Little did she know, she said yes to the ying to her yang.

Nearly seven years later, Wes began to prepare for the most romantic, most beautiful way to ask his girl if she would be his forever. Try as he might, he couldnt come up with the perfect proposal. He hid away the gorgeous ring in a packet of gum in his pocket so he would always have it with him. In Wes' own words "I'd had enough; romance was not in my repertoire!" Wes walked with a purpose into Cathleen's room where she happened to be taking a timed online test. He kissed her, told her that her breath smelled and offered her the packet of gum. Instead of finding the ring, Cathleen took a piece of gum and stared intently at her computer screen finishing her test. Wes couldnt handle the tension a moment longer. After seven years, he truly wanted this girl. "You idiot! Do you want this or what!"

Cathleen loves to travel. It was so adorable to watch her show Wesley all the places she wanted to go and all the places she had been. More than once there was a hint hint nudge nudge moment when it came to a "later in life I want to go to..." I seriously think that I may have to go to a travel agent now just to get some inspiration for where I want to go!

I'm gonna go ahead and say it. Cat, you have an incredible smile! It's hard not to smile looking at yours!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie