Tomorrow we are moving. We decided exactly 48 hours ago to transfer to a new live/work loft in our complex so typing those words still seems a little surreal.

We have lived in three homes together, so the new loft will be our fourth. We came home from our honeymoon to the little back house on Kensington Drive. We moved a few months later to the picturesque townhouse in San Elijo Hills. And then we took the leap of faith and moved to our live/work loft in Carlsbad with the hopes of branching out in our photography careers. Each time we have moved it has been bittersweet, the excitement of a new place and new adventures always slightly tainted by the sadness of leaving behind so many sweet memories. This move is a little bit different because we are staying in the same location. I won’t have to say goodbye to my neighborhood/beach walk circuit or our favorite restaurants nearby. We won’t have to leave our neighbors who have become true friends or miss out on nights on the patio under the bistro lights. We won’t have to miss the soft whir of the train racing by at midnight or the comforting sound of its horn. But we will be leaving this little (actually quite big) loft, which we so affectionately refer to as our lofty cottage. We will be leaving the studio where did my first glamour session, hung my first work on the wall that was all my own, and wondered if all of the hard work would pay off. We will leave this place that brought so much inspiration and so much stress. It seems impossible to leave this home where we held our very first Bible study, where our relationships with strangers grew into deep, lasting friendships.

I have grown as a photographer, a businesswoman, and a person in this place, taking my first risks that were all my own. We developed friendships with neighbors and clients and random strangers through BBQ’s out back and cozy cheese and chocolate nights in our living room. The infamous flag made it’s grand debut on its walls. Two massive Christmas trees sat in the same corner of its living room, 1 year apart. We celebrated Jacob’s golden birthday with a “gold” party in this home, the place that woke us up at the crack of dawn each day with light streaming through those floor-to-ceiling windows. How can I even begin to think of all of the incredible memories we have had in this place?

I am excited for the opportunities that our new studio and lofty cottage will present and the new memories we will make in it, but I must not and will not forget the way that this place has held so much growth and love.

And now, a few memories from our sweet loft in photos. You’ll see beach walks and changed decor and puppy sleepovers and sunsets and birthday kisses and studio naps and a pink bathroom and moving day and, of course, lots of Molly Mae.

We are so excited for the new adventures we will have and memories we will make in our new live/work loft.

***For more of our Little Love Stories, click here.***