Dear Future Maria,

I am so proud of you. You have hit so many milestones in the past few years. You graduated college, graduated grad school, moved to a new state, got married, bought a house, bought a car, and started a business. I hope that you have not lost hope. God has been with you every step of the way, and He has been so faithful through all of it.

I look at this photo from your wedding, and remember how hopeful that day was. How joyful. How blessed. It was a brand new beginning. There was so much to look forward to, starting a new life with Joe. There was so much to be excited about; so many things to be thankful for. The same can be said about the day you decided to start your business, and the days that followed when you posted your website, got your business license, and opened a business bank account. These new beginnings were filled with so much hope, but also with some anxiety and fear. You were so excited. But what if you failed?

The truth is, I know you don't accept failure. You will put your heart and soul into this before you will fail. And if the business doesn't work out, it's not a failure. Take heart in that. Failure would have been never trying in the first place. But I have faith and hope that God is with me now and with you in the future, and that this is exactly where He has called us to be. Keep pushing yourself. Keep striving for better. Keep practicing. Stay disciplined. Never stop learning. The moment you become unteachable is the beginning of the end. And remember to be thankful that you had the courage to pursue this in the first place, whatever the result. So many people let the fear of failing stop them from pursuing their dream in the first place. You overcame that fear. And don't forget to thank Joe for the amazing support and encouragement he has been through this, as well as your other friends and family. You have an amazing support system. Never forget that.

You started Beach Photography with the goal of capturing moments for families to cherish for the rest of their lives, and to have a legacy to leave to future generations. I hope and pray that you are reaching your goal. I hope that through the business, you are reaching financial freedom. That you are preparing for a family. That you are being faithful to God in everything you are doing. I hope and pray that you have found your passion and your niche... I'm guessing that it's going to be senior photography. You always have been one to build relationships with teens. I love that. I pray that through this business, you are given opportunity to love and serve people well. More than that, I hope you are looking for those opportunities and jumping at them as soon as they arise.

You are amazing. You are going after your dream. Don't be discouraged. And most of all, be patient. It's going to be hard. It's going to be an uphill battle. But has anything worth pursuing ever been easy?

Love,

Maria (From March 2021)

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

2 Timothy 1:7