Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Project: Her Heart | Beach Day

     I won't deny it, I've always been the kind of girl who loves girly things. I love flowers, I love wearing lipstick (in every bright shade that a girl can possibly own), I love twirling around in dresses, I love the tip tap my heels make on wooden floors, and make fun all you want I actually don't mind bawling my eyes out to a good movie :P. And here's the big one.... I LOVE love stories, or also known as Chick Flicks. Yep I admit it, I love all of these things and more about being a girl. I mean why wouldn't I? I was created to be and to enjoy all of those beautiful things, and I am not ashamed of what makes me exactly who I am. 
     But it isn't always as simple as it should be. Girls grow up facing many things both physically and emotionally and often times the world tells us that we either aren't good enough, or we should be a certain way to "fit in". This often leads to girls that are more reserved (like myself) to be looked at as weaker in a sense, or to girls that are more outgoing to be known as the more possessive charactered. In any sense, I believe these things are all protective coverings to our fragile hearts, lest we expose who we truly are.
     Have you ever wondered why they seem to put all of the most perfect scenarios in romantic novels and movies? I'm talking about the sweetest guy driving you to see this amazing view at sunset----on a rooftop complete with sparklers of course. Or dancing out in the rain, or piles and piles of beautifully handwritten letters. Women either fall completely in love with the stories (that would be me), or completely dislike the ideas because they believe it can never happen in real life. Why do they place all of these ideas in movies mostly geared toward women? It's because those are the things that are at the core of being a woman. 
     And so I decided to turn all of my loves of being a girl into a personal project. This photo project will be a series that embodies all that a woman's heart is made up of. Sparklers, bubbles, sunsets on the beach, love letters, books, balloons, splashing around in the ocean, and everything else in between. These are the things that make my heart come alive.
     So here is my invitation, no here is my permission to be who you were meant to be. All of the things that make a woman who she is... the beauty, the strength, and the heart. It takes courage and time to be and show who you truly are created to be. I am who I am because of a truly wondrous God, and I grow a little more everyday in Him. It's a beautiful journey of self discovery that never ends, but a rewarding and fulfilling one I promise. You were created beautifully, don't be afraid to show the world. 
     Here is the first part of my project, a day at the beach I spent with my sister. Enjoy and stay tuned for my upcoming posts for Project: Her Heart. Happy Wednesday! 

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Dear Mama

     It has been said that sometimes on Earth we will see glimpses of heaven. I can say with the deepest sincerity that a mother's love is one of those glimpses. A mother's love doesn't need to speak to you to fall in love with you, it doesn't need proof of your love in return. A mother loves her child even before it is born. No matter how many times that child will break your heart... a mother always waits for her child to return with open arms. A love so pure and without reason but simply to love can only come from above.
     When I was little, my mom would read fairy tales in Italian to me and then teach me various words such as apple, tree, popcorn, and then record me speaking. Although because my mom barely knew any English, words such as popcorn I would pronounce "popehcorneh" (the cassettes which I still have are truly hilarious.) 
     One time I wasn't having too good of a day. I was on the floor of my room frustrated and my mom sat at the end of my bed listening to me and through half sobs I said, "I'll never be good enough. What's wrong with me?" I looked up to see her in tears and she softly replied, "But to me... I think what you do is beautiful. How you think, what you write...I love who you are." Those words stayed forever in my heart. 
     Mom your dedication to not only your children, but to God, to Dad and to your passion shows me how incredible you truly are. Sometimes I find myself speechless when I thank God for you because out of the million women over the centuries in the world... He chose you to be my mom.
     Proverbs 31 depicts the beauty of a virtuous woman, and when you find her, she is worth far more than rubies. She is a woman of valor, her husband trusts in her, she provides for her family, she is wise and highly respected by her children. She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs at the days to come. She is beautiful inside and out. Many women do noble things, but she surpasses them all. 
   Mom, you embody all of those beautifully written words. Thank you for all of the things you do and have ever done for me... it has been a blessing and honor to have known such a beautiful soul in my life and to call you my mother and friend.
     Every night long after everyone has fallen asleep, I peek into your room and there you are reading scripture in bed. I push open the door and quietly tiptoe by you, and hug you for a moment only to smell your sweet scent and kiss you good night. I want to wish all of the beautiful Mothers in the world a Happy Mother's Day. Tonight hug your mom a little tighter, and tell her how much you love her... for a mother's love is one of a kind.