Little Sips of Me Time… with a dear friend.

Just one of my dear friends, some Diet Cokes and her beautiful front porch! 

Excited to feature a friend of mine on my blog today.  Meet Allison, the most selfless person you’ll ever meet.  She’s giving, loyal, talented and someone who has brought a sense of calmness into my life.  Allison came into my life as a vendor – she’s a photographer, I’m a makeup and hair artist.  Very quickly, our vendor-working-relationship turned into a deep rooted friendship.  A friendship that I’m forever grateful for.

For years, Allison and I have talked about how important this time of year is to us.  There’s so much hustle from fall to winter, as the wedding industry closes-out the busy portrait season and wedding season (fall is always our busiest time).  Year after year, we discuss cutting back on work in following December, so we can truly enjoy and soak up the holidays with our family.  We always fail at this, I guess it’s our entrepreneurial heart that can’t say ‘no’.  We both find joy in each and every client that comes into our work days.  We both truly love what we do.

That all being said, this time last year, wasn’t any different.  I was also due with Olive and I basically felt 15 months pregnant (quiet literally). My kankles were there to prove it.  I think Allison had her busiest year yet with weddings, her daughter was in kindergarten, her son was in a half-day school program and her husband often travels for work.  Needless to say Allison had her hands full, but as a friend, a mom, a wife and a business owner – she always puts others needs and wants above her own.  I asked her to photograph the birth of Olive, something that was very special to me.  I was actually due after the New Year, but Santa knew my Christmas wish and how badly I wanted a Christmas baby… so he showed off for all of us.

At 8am on December 22nd my water broke.  We hustled to the hospital, just knowing that baby number two comes significantly faster than baby number one.  Allison lives fairly close to our hospital, so I told her that I would call her once we got close to pushing time… well, December 22nd at 8am, very slowwwwwwly turned into December 23rd at 6pm.  Finally, it was time to go and there we were, all together in the delivery room waiting to meet sweet Olive (Allison included).

Like I said before, Allison brings this calmness into my life – something that I have a hard time explaining.  As modest as I am, I was very thankful to have her by my side in the delivery room.  The pushing process didn’t happen as quickly as we had hoped either, so for two hours I was forced to “labor down”.  She was there to make me laugh and her laid-back attitude was EXACTLY what I needed in that very moment.  Finally, it was baby time and once again, I was having a hard time pushing.  Poor Allison went from friend mode, to photographer to birthing coach.  LOL… but really, I’ll never forget looking over at her as she coached me through several tough pushes.  We shared many laughs, tears and stories during this time.  Finally Olive was here and I’m so thankful that Allison was literally, the first person (other than the hubby 😉 ) to meet and hold our precious daughter.  So very special to me.

She left the hospital that evening at 10pm, THANKING US (seriously, thanking us) for allowing her to photograph our birth. This is Allison for you though, always grateful for anything that comes into her life, work included.  She has the biggest heart and is one of the most devoted friends I’ve ever had!  Later that evening she texted several pictures with a message that said she would be back in the morning, on Christmas Eve, to capture Henry meeting Olive for the first time.  This is what I’m talking about.  Selfless.  Loyal.  Giving.  She goes above and beyond… and I know it’s not just for her friends.  This is just the person that she is.

That all being said, I wanted to do something special in return this December to thank her for what all she’s given me!  I popped over to her home last week with my makeup and hair kit to pamper her.  Although, I’m not a photographer, I have this sweet little camera that takes a decent picture, so I wanted to give back to her a small piece that she’s given me.  However, I will never be able to repay her for the moments and memories that I’ll have forever through the power of her photography.  I had a few presents for her and of course Diet Coke.  We took some pictures, opened some presents and had some good old fashioned girl time together!

As we approach the one year mark since going into labor with Olive, I can’t help but relive those special times with my dear friend by my side.  If you don’t already, be sure to follow Allison on Instagram – her work is beautiful and her inner beauty shines through everything she touches in life!  Truly, I cherish this lady and all that she’s given to me!

Happy holiday’s, friends and thank you for taking the time to hop over to my blog!  Xoxo!

Don’t go just yet… head over to my friends at Simple Stylings | Polished Closets | Every Chic Way to see how they’re giving back and pampering loved ones with some special time this holiday season!

*This post was sponsored by Diet Coke.  All products, opinions and content are of my own.  Thank you so very much for supporting brands that support my blog, so that I can share this creative content with you.  Your support means so much!**