27th Birthday Questionnaire

Alright friends, I know that my birthday was earlier this summer but I am finally getting this posted! With coronavirus and everything else happening in the world, I felt a little shutdown and haven't had much motivation to get anything on the blog recently. 
I can't believe I am now technically in my 'late twenties.' So bizarre how fast time goes! 
Without further ado, here are the questions a handful of you guys sent on Instagram for my birthday post along with my answers. Please let me know in the comments if you have any other questions, and be sure to follow me on Instagram to stay connected!

1. When did you start loving photography? 
I've loved taking photos ever since middle school. I remember my first camera was a hot pink Nikon CoolPix and I would take all these artsy photos in my bedroom and with friends at school. In high school, I took a digital photography class and a black and white film class for electives. They both began my photography education and I am so glad that I decided to sign up for those classes! In college, I would have little photoshoots with my friends and I took another elective digital photography course and by 2014 I had my first paid gig. I just kept growing and practicing and shooting until finally, I started The Finding Co. in 2019.

2. When was the very 1st time you and Mark met? Can you remember the first impression?
I remember when Mark and his cousin, Zac, started going to my church. I met them in youth group and all the girls were fawning all over Zac because he looked like a Jonas Brother and they were really big then. I remember telling my friend that I thought Mark was super cute and we laughed it off. A year or two later we had become friends and would hang out after church and go to the mall or movies with our group of friends. I remember my first impression of him was that he was super nice and a "cool kid" because he was a musician (he played keys and guitar and occasionally sang in a band) and a very talented actor in his school.

3. What was your favorite year in grade school/why?
I loved 4th and 5th grade because my teachers were great and I felt like I really excelled at my schoolwork and had a good group of friends. In 6th grade, I changed schools and remember having a hard time adjusting. I really liked senior year as well because I had some good friends and it was graduation year and my electives were really awesome.

4. How many different hair shades have you had?
Oh man. Very many. I got highlights for my 13th birthday and there was no turning back! I just love trying new things and when I get bored/need a change I tend to go for my hair. I've had black, blue, red, a different shade of brown than my natural, purple, grey, and blonde.

5. Favorite place you've ever traveled to?
This one is tough because there are great things about so many of the places I've been. I think if I have to choose it would be Paris. It's just so full of art and beauty. Yes, there are unappealing things that every city has but I've been twice and I would go a hundred times more!

6. What is your biggest goal for your 27th trip around the sun?
My biggest goal for year 27 is to grow my photography skills as much as I can and travel as much as I can. I think I would also say to not be afraid of chasing an idea. Just go for things, ya know?

7. How does a woman work through her own insecurities?
It can take time. There will always be something, I think. Especially if you expose yourself to a lot of media - it can be hard to not have physical insecurities because we see so many altered, "perfect" women online. I think the main thing to remember is that we all have a purpose here on earth and we're fearfully and wonderfully made. You were not a mistake. God has a plan for you! 
On days when I feel my insecurities pretty heavily, I think about what I'm feeding myself with. Am I endlessly scrolling on Instagram and looking at fashion magazines and watching a lot of tv where the women are "perfect"? Maybe take a little break. It also helps me to write a list of things I like about myself and accomplishments I am proud of to remind myself that I don't need to be insecure or compare myself to anyone.

8. What is your favorite meal?
I love desserts. Pie, eclairs, donuts. I'm a pastry kind of gal. Obviously, I try not to eat too much of them because *health* but if there were no calories and sugar wasn't bad for you I would eat pastries all day long. For a more realistic answer, I love cauliflower steaks when they're really well seasoned and I also love Asian food. Yum!


9. Best vacation you've ever been on?
Traveling to Joshua Tree and Palm Springs with our friends Christian + Abby. Oh, and Disney World. 

10. Do you plan on sticking around Harrisburg for a while?
We aren't sure yet. We've talked about the next few years and what they look like and while we don't have any plans to go anywhere just yet we have talked about traveling more and perhaps moving eventually. We really like Harrisburg, though!

11. If you had a theme song play for you every time you walked into a room, what would it be?
This is a really interesting and tough question! Like, I've been thinking about it for a while, and because I love music so much it's really hard to decide. If it has to be an existing theme song then Friends, for sure. If not then I think the song I've related to the hardest is "Freaking Out on The Interstate" by Briston Maroney.

12. Would you ever consider living somewhere other than Harrisburg?
Yes. We LOVE traveling and we have family in several different areas so I could see us moving eventually.

13. What enneagram type is Mark and how has knowing your types helped your marriage?
Mark is a 3 (and we think his wing is a 4). Knowing his type has helped our relationship immensely. Communication between us has definitely changed for the better because I feel like I more fully understand the way he thinks about things and confronts problems or work. I highly recommend looking into it to help your communication not just between you and your spouse but your coworkers, friends, and family!

14. What are certain things you do every single day?
I drink coffee every day. When I don't it's rough. I also check social media every day and think about some sort of content creation. I would say I probably also create something, in general, every day. Oh and sing. I sing to my husband, my cats, myself. Always singing haha!

15. Favorite movies?
Walk the Line, Life Aquatic, Pretty In Pink, Fly Away Home, Anne of Green Gables, Star Wars (original trilogy), The Dark Knight, Jumanji, and Batteries Not Included.

16. Favorite smells?
Pumpkin spice, pine tree, fresh laundry, cookies in the oven, my husband's cologne, my mom's house.

17. As an enneagram 4, I know that I can get down in a mental spiral quickly... what things send you spiraling down and that pick you back up?
I think I start to spiral if I spend too much time remembering how things were and wishing it was that way again. Like, negative nostalgia. I also spiral if I feel like I put a lot of time and attention and creativity into a project and no one cares about it. I feel like I wasted part of myself. 
Things that help me get out of an emotional spiral are usually under the guise of self-care. Taking a nap, going for a walk outside, allowing myself to rest, spending time with friends and family, yoga, eating healthy. 


Comments

  1. Happy belated birthday! Paris is one of my fave cities, and I’m a dessert gal, too. It was so fun to learn more about you.

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  2. What a fun way to celebrate your birthday! I loved reading through these answers to get to know you better. I'm also a total dessert and pastry lover (but don't have the restraint you seem to). Good luck improving your photography!

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