I’m Stephanie, a wedding + lifestyle photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Warrenton, Virginia. Whether I’m by the mountains of Colorado or Virginia, my soul feels at home, surrounded by rural living and the raw beauty of nature. I genuinely love what I do, and feel so passionate to share the enthusiasm and joy of these celebrations with you!

DOCUMENTING LOVE'S UNSCRIPTED CHAPTERS FROM COUPLES & FAMILIES IN COLORADO + VIRGINIA

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October 6, 2015

Trusting God’s Plan

I bought a house!!!

I firmly believe in God’s plan for us. I also know that it is okay to be upset and grieve when things happen because our path isn’t perfect and we need to experience life. More importantly, we need to learn from our experiences. This post is a little raw for me to open up since so much has been happening outside of my business over the past couple months. I have really put an effort to keep business and personal life separate when appropriate but I also know that it is okay to share a personal experience, especially if others can learn from it.

Over the past year, I have been ready to buy the home of my dreams. Mountain views … farm land for Kyle to cultivate … beautiful front porch … plantation style with the black shutters … all located close by to I-66 so clients can still reach me … After putting down offer after offer, nothing was working. I didn’t get it! I was ready to put the renting life in the past and move forward with an investment. God had another plan but I could not see it at the time. Kyle and I unfortunately went our separate ways and while I was confused over the situation of how it came to this point, I sought for God’s peace and comfort. After all, Kyle and I built memories over the last couple years in the rental house and talked about the future throughout the course of our relationship. All of the sudden, I was alone in that very house. The pain my heart felt was the hardest thing I have had to go through. I was battling with myself every single day as I grieved trying to understand.

“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” – PROVERBS 3:5-6

He did just that! The moment I packed my bags one Sunday afternoon and moved back into my parents house, I immediately felt easement. I was meant to be here. That comfort came over me like pouring rain! I have learned a LOT about myself over the past couple months. I have a great support group of family and friends that I am so blessed to have by my side. <3 If anyone has been through a hard break up knows that there is light on the other side! God has bigger and better plans for us! Everything does happen for a reason and it’s funny seeing how things have worked out. 🙂

A couple weeks ago, my friend suggested for me to check out some new townhouses being built. I thought, why not take a curiosity tour just to see if a townhouse would be an ideal space for me! At this point, I didn’t really want to think about buying a house because I needed to figure out a new five year plan … What area to move, house or townhouse or apartment, rental or purchase, etc. The moment I walked into the 1,700 square foot townhouse model, I immediately felt like I could live in that space. They told me they had one more house for sale … in the style of house I preferred, would be built and ready to move in February during my slow season, it was under my budget and it is an END UNIT meaning more window light and one less neighbor … but they weren’t sure if they could make the upgrades I would need to live in the space (like adding an office space, fixing up the kitchen or adding hardwood floors) since they already put in the orders for the house four days before. That was a huge factor so I left the tour thinking that it sounded great but I could keep looking around since I wasn’t necessarily looking to buy a house at that moment. Well, something brought me back to talking with them again. After they got off the phone with their amazing project manager, John (yay Allison’s husband!), they said they could do any upgrade in the book!!! What?! This was like it was meant to be! That day, I was ready to sign papers! Crazy how it worked out because I was NOT expecting any of this! 🙂 🙂 🙂

After all of those times I tried putting down an offer on a huge farm house and nothing worked out … It was meant to happen this way. I cannot imagine being in a huge house by myself with land that needs maintenance. A townhouse is the perfect size (even though it’s even bigger than the house I was previously renting!), great location, awesome neighbors and ideal living space! God is so funny sometimes and I’m thankful that none of those previous offers worked out because THIS right here is where I’m supposed to be! This opportunity fell into the palm of my hands and I cannot wait to start this new chapter of my life feeling positive about the future!!!

Ryan Homes

I’m a little excited! 😉

Ryan Homes

Thank you ALL for your support and encouragement! I would not be able to make this huge step in my life if it wasn’t for you all and my amazing couples/clients. <3 This #girlboss is making the big move in February!!! Eeep!

  1. Ally Allison says:

    Stephanie – I am so, so happy for you! Building a house is one of the most exciting things EVER! You’re going to LOVE watching it come together, and I PROMISE it will be very well taken care of 🙂

  2. Alicia says:

    So excited for your new journey — you’ll have to have us all over to see the place when it’s done being built!!! xx

  3. CyndiM says:

    Yes, everything fell into place so perfectly! Congratulations, and we’re so proud of what you’ve accomplished, and your vision for the future! This move will be a great thing, and you couldn’t ask for more … just what you needed! 😀

  4. Brett says:

    Congratulations, Stephanie! What an exciting new adventure! Xo!

  5. Stephanie says:

    God always has a plan for your life and maybe the farm house you have always dreamed of is your parents home! Home is where your heart is! Congrats!!

  6. kristi says:

    Stephanie!! This is sooo exciting!! And I know what you must have been going through relationshipwise but everything does happen for a reason. HE is good!! I am soo excited for you and everything coming your way!! Sending you big hugs!! xoxo, Kristi

  7. Kathy says:

    Stephanie, congratulations on buying your first home. That is so exciting. I happen to believe that everything happens for a reason and that you are meant to be right where you are. You do such a great job documenting everyone else’s beautiful love stories with your amazing photography skills and you will have your turn. The best is yet to come. Congratulations again!!

  8. […] * BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!! (Settlement date: February! AH!) * Photographed an OBX wedding! * Hosted my Second […]