January 1, 2020
The 2010s. Toughest times to say the least. But, we got through it. There were lots of tears and growing pains and great things that happened, too. At this very moment, as I write this blog entry and reflect on the last ten years, I feel content and hopeful for the first time in a long while. Something new is stirring. Good things.
The 2010s began with one of the most painful events I’ve ever experienced as a human. After years of dealing with infertility, our first and only child was stillborn in the twenty-second week of my pregnancy. It was a soul-shattering moment that forever changed my husband and me. In rapid succession we relocated as far from the home we shared as possible while still allowing for a commute into the city for work. It was just too painful a reminder of how empty it suddenly felt to come home to. We dealt with more infertility, illnesses, and injuries, as well as career changes. Some disappointing. It seemed like one thing after another just slowing our recovery.
We pushed through it and along the way, hopes and dreams and plans started to shift as we settled into this new rural life. We renovated our farmhouse, became God Parents, and even took our first trip to Europe!
If anyone tried to tell me ten years ago that I’d be trading in sixteen years working as a makeup artist with a well-known prestige cosmetics brand for farm chores and a flock of chickens, I’d have laughed in their face. Heartily. Freelance wedding gigs working with brides have been replaced by wrangling broody hens and ornery roosters. Our flock of four has grown to nineteen and counting. What began as a way to keep my mind off grief has turned into a side gig of sorts. We keep the smaller eggs for ourselves and sell the larger ones by the dozen at our little farm stand at the end of our driveway using the honor system. The eggs pay for the feed costs and we haven’t had store-bought eggs in over four years! In 2020, we plan to expand the flock and continue to sell the eggs to our neighbors.
Starting a new freelance business was something I never would have had the courage to do back then, either. I was just too focused on the desire to start a family that it seemed only possible as a daydream.
Never say never.
As things have begun to turn around, a recent opportunity came my way that inspired me to make a bold decision and do just that. So, here I am. On the cusp of a new decade with the painful chapters of the 2010s finally closed and ready for the next chapters of this story called life to be written.
Cheers to a new year, a new decade, and fresh starts. I wish all of you a happy and prosperous 2020!
Xo,
Katie
