I never really imagined you could become closer with a few strangers in a matter of 48 hours than you could with people you’ve known your whole life. But that’s what happens when you share the same heart, passions, desires, drive to do great things, and listen to each others stories. 

A few weeks ago, I got to attend the leaders retreat for the Rising Tide Society in Charleston, SC. I went down knowing one person, Megan, from Art by Megan, and immediately found her when I landed and strolled in late to the conference. I had a wedding the night before, so I got a 6AM flight down and got there just as the speakers were about to start. We went to lunch together, and I’m not sure how we got so lucky, but we managed to meet some of the most wonderful, down to earth, beautiful people inside and out on that lunch trip. To be honest though, this isn’t where all the bonding happened…

I can’t even pinpoint when we all became so close. Maybe it was on our photo shoot, or our scavenger hunt, or possibly while we aimlessly wandered around the beautiful city of Charleston. I was so fortunate that Annmarie reached out to me when I said I needed a place to stay for an extra night and she welcomed me into her cute little cottage with open arms. And then, we even got to convince Michelle to stay an extra day and I couldn’t be happier that we could all share our hearts with each other even more. That’s what happens at these conferences, you get together with like-minded people and it gets really emotional really fast. You feel like you’ve known them your whole life and aren’t afraid to share your deepest fears and greatest triumphs with them because you know that they may be going through the exact same things. 

So today is just a tribute to the amazing women I met on this trip. The world is such a better place with you in it, and my world is too. I love you ladies, and can’t wait til our next crazy adventure together!

All pictures courtesy of Austyn Elizabeth Photography and Lauren Carnes Photography
These four women. You are some of the most incredible humans I’ve ever met. I’m so lucky to call you my friends.