A year ago today, I woke up at 4:30 in the morning from what I thought was a dream. I thought I was hearing a burglar riffling through paper, but it was actually the crackling of fire and the breaking of glass on my back door. Those few minutes were a blur….

I remember waking Ryan up “Fire! There’s a fire!” He tells me I hit him several times to wake him but I don’t even remember that. I remember grabbing my phone and glasses. Ryan says I told him to get the dog but I don’t remember that either. We got out through the front door as the fire made it’s way into our kitchen. We made it down the stairs and then it hit me – all the things inside. Things I wanted. Things I needed. I had a wedding to shoot that weekend and all my equipment was inside. By the time I looked back up at the door and contemplated going back in, there wasn’t even an inch of clear air at the bottom of the door… and I knew there was little hope of any of it surviving.

I remember waiting in the back corner of our yard in the cool morning air with no socks or shoes. My feet were very cold. Ryan, Kit and I were huddled together saying a prayer hoping the fire department would arrive and some of our things could be saved. We watched glass break out of windows, fire licking the sides of the house. We could actually see it moving through the house and I knew before the fire department even got there, it would be too late.

I remember watching the firemen work – they really knew what they were doing. I remember our neighbor coming over and inviting us into his home. They offered us shoes and sweaters to stay warm. They offered us drinks and breakfast but I wasn’t up for anything in my stomach. I remember the fireman coming back to the house and asking us some questions…

We went back over to the house… the fire was out. We realized we didn’t have driver licenses, keys, debit/credit cards, money, checks. I remember calling my dad about getting the spare set of car keys – I called him because I didn’t want to tell my mom. I remember mom answering the phone anyway. I remember she handled the news better than I thought she would though I don’t remember anything we said.

The firemen were amazing. They helped Ryan sift through piles of ash and soot to try and find at least one set of our car keys, the remains of my camera equipment, hard drive, laptop. They stayed for a good hour and a half to help. They were so SO kind!

My parents’ arrived and so did our friend Matt. No one really knew what to say. Ryan and Matt stayed to dig through more of our burnt, charred, and melted belongings. I went into town with my family to try and acquire the bare essentials: clothes, hygiene products, etc with the mere $100 I had at my disposal.

I had to call clients and reschedule appointments – I thank God I had such understanding clients! And I thank God that all my files were backed up online so nothing important to them was lost!

But when I look back – that all seems so small and far away…. Because even though it’s been a long, and at times, very difficult year – I’d rather not dwell on what was lost but what we’ve gained and how blessed we are to be here. Because we are still here, and we are whole. And in spite of the struggles and hurdles put before us, our marriage is as strong as ever, and our love and enjoyment of each other’s company has only gotten stronger!

We were lucky enough to find out how many amazingly kind people we have in our lives. We’ve been prayed for and given things to help us get through. We’ve even had a fundraiser put on in our name. And I’ve discovered what incredibly compassionate, patient and understanding clients I have too – I am one lucky lady!

We may have lost our first home last year, but we now have a new home and we are gradually filling in the holes the fire left. Whether it’s missing furniture or memories. And we are starting to make new memories too – We’ve even expanded our family by one more fur baby (sweet Miss Lucy)!

So I hope today – like me – you’ll take some time to be thankful for all that you have! Whether it’s a roof over your head, a car to get you where you need to be, a job, a spouse, good friends, good food, or good health. Remember there is always someone who has it far worse than you. I want to thank each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart for being such wonderful clients! We’ve got big plans for next year and we can’t wait for you to be a part of them! May you have a very wonderful Wednesday!

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