A Valentine's Gift for Him! YOU!

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Why in the WORLD, is she talking about Valentine's Day already, when it's only January 14th. It's still a month away!"

Well, my dear sweet friends. I wanted to give you time to pull it off!

We don't really go all out for Valentine's Day, because it also happens to be right around my birthday. I usually get to celebrate one or the other. Also, for some reason, my husband usually has to work around that same time. So, it truly ends up being either birthday or Valentine's.

For me, finding a gift for my husband, seems kind of difficult. I seem to struggle all year to find something that he might want, enjoy and even USE! 

For Valentine's Day though, I really wanted to step it up. I wanted to give him a gift that I knew he would REALLY LOVE! I wanted to give him the gift of me!

For awhile there, I've mentioned before, that we kind of got into a rut of things. Moving, new jobs, different places, no friends, struggling with this that and the other. Not to mention, having kids! Boy, it does a number on you. Mentally, physically, and of course, the EMOTIONS! I kind of let myself go. I was that woman who like literally lived in yoga pants and a pony tail. 

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it. However, a wise girlfriend of mine, from Texas, once said to me, "Every once in awhile, you gotta step out of the work out clothes for your husband." Amen, sista! Amen!

Two back to back pregnancies can really throw a wrench into your wardrobe. 

But, my husband needed to see the other side of me. The wife side. Not just the mom side. After all, when our kids are grow up and leave the house, it'll be just he and I. So our relationship is the one that really needs to last.

For his Valentine's Gift, I stepped COMPLETELY out of my box. I figured if I was going to give him me, I was going to go all out and do it right! His gift:Boudoir Photos of me. 

I don't like porn and I don't agree with it either. With that being said, I wasn't about to portray myself as that TYPE of person either. I wanted something classy and tasteful done. Something that could potentially be looked at as art. Honestly, nothing that different than wearing a swimsuit. Whatever I was comfortable with.

I booked it a few weeks out and planned to have a light spray tan (it is winter!) and I had hair and make up done.

My photographer was amazing! Not only was this a gift for him, but honestly, it was a gift to myself. I needed to be reminded that I was beautiful. That I wasn't JUST the yoga pants and ponytail gal. That I was beautifully made. That I was perfect. My photographer gave me so much self esteem, that I should have paid her double. In fact, I offered to pay her to just follow me around and say all the sweet things she did about me!

How many times have you left a photo session and just felt empowered? Radiant? Self Assured? Wanted? Amazing? I can tell you, I left this one, feeling that way and more! She literally helped to change my mind set on a lot of things. Positivity, grows positivity. If you let it.

If you're looking for a wonderful self esteem booster, DO THIS! It seems a little unconventional, but each woman is beautiful and amazing! We weren't mistakes, we were beautifully made! Embrace who you are, and be proud of it! There is no such thing as perfect.

When I left my little photo shoot, I told myself that if I could find one photo that I liked, then it would all be a success. These are different from family photos. These are photos that bare just you. You have to be able to look at yourself, and say, "Wow! God did some great work on me! I am beautiful!"

Also, cautiously, don't be vain about this either. This isn't about being a narcissist. This is about loving yourself as a person, and respecting yourself. When you stop focusing on all your bad traits and start loving and working with all your good, your life can transform.

OK, enough with all that. I'm going to show you some photos from my session. 

Also, if you're looking for other ideas, go to my Boudoir Board on Pinterest. I did a lot of searching when I was considering these. There are a lot of classy, tastefully done photos out there. For women of all shapes and sizes! Trust me, he'll be absolutely BLOW AWAY! In a good way, of course!

Plus, 30 years from now, when I look back, I'm so glad that I'll have taken these photos. If anything, to just capture my youth! Remember, I turn 30 this year. The BIG 3-0!

A big Thanks to Jen Swedhin Photography! For doing such beautiful, amazing work! Also, for making me feel amazing and beautiful-stretch marks and all! You have a gift, my friend! Keep using it-you're spreading encouragement and love, every where you go!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14