Denver or bust...

For those of you that don't already know, I haven't always been a beach girl. Nope. You heard me right. This girl, the one that is obsessed with the salty air actually has a yankee heart. I was born in Pennsylvania. I then had a short moment living in Maryland, however, my mother met her 2nd husband Mark, and we ended up moving to North Canton, Ohio. Those were some of the best years of my childhood. I have lifelong friends that I still talk to to this day. There has always been something about the seasons changing that made my heart the happiest. However, after my step father fell ill in 1989, my mother moved us to good ole Jacksonville, Florida. (That was the year it "snowed" in Florida, Go figure!)

The move wasn't easy on me. I didn't fit in. I didn't dress like a surfer girl, that's for sure! Middle school was tough to say the least. However, by my 8th grade year I was comfortable and made some more lifelong friends! I never imagined I would ever move away. High school came and went, and this Ohio girl started to glow from the golden rays. I loved everything about Florida! I, of course, visited my Bloom's in PA as much as I could an still do to this day. However, I had no plans on leaving the ocean!

I became pregnant in 2002 at age 25. I was the happiest I ever was. I had found out on my 25th birthday and still hands down believe it was the best gift ever! Skylar is everything to me. Her dad and I made a decision when she was very young that we were not good for each other and decided to part ways. It isn't a secret that I think he is pretty amazing. We have always had a great relationship and we both take pride in raising a daughter together but in separate homes. Skylar is now 14. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not proud of both of us always looking out for what is best her. For all of these reasons, I was starting to really feel that that Florida would remain my home.

Moving on to 2013, I met the most handsome man ever. The one that would take me away from the beach. I started to date Jeremy and fell head over heels for him. Once we were engaged, Skylar and I moved into his home... away from the beach! Jeremy and were married in 2015. Being married is something I always wanted and sometimes thought it might never happen. However, when I met Jeremy it was effortless and fun. (Okay, yes, we work at it like any couple but he makes me laugh like no one else.) I knew he was the one for me right away. We have built a life together and he is every thing I could ask for in a husband and, of course, a step father. We have been planning to move back to the beach this year and just recently put the house on the market! WOO HOO!

I know that most of you are probably wondering... "why is she telling me her life story?" I know! As I sit here typing it, I thought that too. But I felt you all needed to know more about my life so I can share with you this. We are moving to DENVER! (Not the beach, wait what???) I am excited, scared, happy, nervous and numb. I have so many emotions that I can't pick one. My husband received a job opportunity that we as a family just couldn't pass up. It isn't something that we ever saw our family do but here we are!

What does that mean to you, my clients? Well for my clients in Florida, remember how amazing my daughters dad is? Well because they are so close I just can't bear to see them apart for long. So we plan on traveling back to Jacksonville OFTEN, especially around the holidays! So if you need pictures, I can still come! If you are getting married, I am there! I will be emailing specific dates that I will be in town with available sessions when I do book a Jacksonville wedding and when we are just coming to visit. So, be sure to be on my email list for those. For my new Denver clients, well, you have more time to take advantage of my passion. I can't wait for mountain pictures! (I am also forcing myself to love planes.)

This news took a little bit to digest. However, we are excited as a family and I am so thankful for each one of you that stood by me over the years and pushed me to grow more to do what I love. I am thankful for my husband who is still cheering me on as we transition to a new state. I am also thankful for Skylar's dad for also being understanding and supportive as we take on another adventure. Starting over will be tough professionally, but I am confident that these last two years I have spent learning and networking have helped me become the photographer I am today so I can kick butt in Denver and still travel back to Florida to get my beach fix.

So to all of you that read of all my life story, thank you! I hope that you still reach out to me for your family pictures, cake smashes, new babies and weddings. I don't want to miss them!

This isn't goodbye my friends! You will still be seeing us! ~ Heatherley