This past Sunday I went to my first ever bridal shower as a guest believe it or not! It was Tia's. The friend I know the longest. We met in grade 1!! I took a pause, looked around, and had a HUGE realization. To preface this, in the past 4 years I have been working endlessly to create a successful business so that I can wake up every day and do what I love, and be able to have a healthy income that I can live off of. I have invested a lot of money and time. This meant working during the day on my business, waitressing at night, and shooting on the weekends. Yup. I had no social life. My baby (my business) was my priority and I wanted to have it take off ASAP. I was so focused and driven that nothing else mattered to me. Not my health, not my family, not my friends.

At the beginning of last year, I realized that I always lacked energy, and was the heaviest I'd ever been, and I didn't feel confident in my own skin. It was time for a change. I started juicing, reducing the amount of junk food I ate, and going to the gym! I lost about 10 pounds and started to feel like my jolly old self again. I had my energy back :)

Following that, last year was my first full time year where I didn't have to waitress or shoot for other photographers during wedding season! It was amazeballs! But it being my first full time year, I didn't expect how busy I would get, so my focus was now on myself and my business. I also thought, "sweet! I'm doing what I love and making mula!!" then bam, I spent it all and didn't have a reserve for the winter months where I don't have any money coming in. Sooo back to serving I went. Again, had to work on my business during the day, and waitress at night. So where does this leave room for friends and family?

Back to me being at Tia's bridal shower and looking around...I got to see and talk to elementary school friends that I haven't seen in years, Tia's Nonna that used to babysit us, her cousins and her sister we used to play with. THEN, Tia gets up to do a mini speech to thank everyone, and she got super emotional, which made me emotional. I realized. THIS is what it's all about. THIS is what is missing from my happiness circle. Friends and family. I was standing there and thought to myself, all these people around her stayed in touch all these years and make an effort to be in her life. I didn't. (whoa totally tearing up right now as I'm writing this). We were best friends for 11 years and then we just slowly drifted apart. Maybe we needed that. Who knows. But it's amazing that whenever we see each other, it's like nothing has changed and I cherish that SOOO much. It's so beautiful to me that she stayed close with our elementary school friends and how much of an effort she makes to see everyone. It's my turn to put in the effort and show people how much they mean to me. Both my friends AND family back in Poland. To everyone I have disappointed, I am so sorry for being selfish. I'm ready to make new memories with you and not let the years just slip away <3

P.S. I'm the lucky one that gets to be by her side her whole wedding day as she chose me to be her photographer. I could not be more excited! Me met in grade 1 and now I get to shoot her wedding. Crazy.

Below is a picture of the elementary school gang :)

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Toronto Documentary Wedding Photographer for Free-Spirited, Bohemian & Adventurous Couples - GTA, Vancouver, Worldwide, International, Destination