A Year in Review: 2020

Well… It’s been a year, hasn’t it? I feel like it’s been Tom Rosenthal’s “it’s been a year” and “if we all die tomorrow” combined. Unsurprisingly, those two songs were definitely in my top 100 this year.

So, where do I start, talking about the year that changed everything? To preface this, I’m not one to sugarcoat. Nor pretend like everything hasn’t literally been one dumpster fire after another. However, I also can’t pretend that Zac and I haven’t been infinitely blessed through it all. Our families have their health and so do we, we both still have our jobs, a roof over our heads, and we even added two furry pets into our mix.

To start at the beginning, 2020 began with a lot of resolutions. I had grandiose ideas about what it’d look like, including 20 books read, 20 pounds lost, etc. etc. you get it. There was a theme. We were working on finishing the renovations upstairs, working out consistently, cooking healthy dinners, adding Marlowe to the family again, and very rashly I must say, starting to prepare for a puppy (our allergist didn't want us to get one til we had done our shots for more time, but yeah, obviously we didn’t listen). I remember shopping at Target on my lunch break on Zac’s birthday, the day before we were to pick up our puppy. I ran into my coworker who told me to go get toilet paper because they were almost out. It felt weird, but it didn’t feel that scary yet. I was pretty focused on the new puppy and Zac’s birthday party. We had friends over and all laughed and had a good time (our house hasn’t seen that many people since). We picked up our puppy on Saturday, and on Monday, the world shut down (or at least Michigan did). It felt so bizarre.

Everything seemed fine though—scary—but our bubble was fine. Then we lost our big freelance client and Zac went down to part time in a day. Granted, NONE of that was nearly as stressful as what so many people have gone through and are still going through. But we were taken aback and started to understand the gravity of the situation. Around my birthday was the first grim milestone of COVID deaths. But things kept chugging along at our house. We were busy training Hopper and working from home, and we even decided to build a patio in our backyard with my parents’ help. That week, my hometown was devastated by a flood. My parents were here, two hours away from their home, scrambling to get my Grandfather out of the flood zone, but also being unable to get into town to get him. In the end, again, with blessings pouring on us, both my parents’ and my Grandpa’s house were unscathed. The water ended at the beginning of my parent’s street. Many people cannot say that. Midland, Sanford, and surrounding areas are still recovering, 7 months later.

Four days later, George Floyd was murdered. And awoke the biggest Civil Rights movement in American History. And DAMN if I’m not proud of every single person who spoke up, peacefully protested, and made their voices HEARD. There is still so much work to be done, especially after watching videos of the Proud Boys this week. (There are so many great organizations to donate to, but for now, this is a good one to start with, if you feel inclined.)

Come summer, Zac and I were kind of coasting in our bubble. We lost Zac’s Grandpa and were able to celebrate his life with all of Zac’s family. We shot our first covid wedding and just kept chugging. We traveled to Missouri for one covid wedding and saw all the sights rural Illinois had to offer (there weren’t any, btw). Toward the beginning of the fall, the future of Zac’s job became unknown. We did what many people around America have done, and made plans on how to sell the house and downsize to one car, etc. to live on one income. But through more blessings, we came out on the other side with both of our jobs intact.

The past few months we’ve been busy with home renovations (we’ve basically packed every spare moment into making this house our home and my safe bubble), work and weddings. We lost Zac’s uncle a few weeks ago, which put a lot of things into perspective for us. It’s a lot easier to shrug off the little annoyances, and just feel grateful to be where you are. And to cherish the people in your life all the more.

So, I wrote a steady stream of consciousness—not what I was expecting to write, but what came to my mind. The last thing I want to say is that I am forever grateful to Zac for being my life partner. He stopped countless panic attacks this year, did nearly ALL of the errands while I dreaded leaving the house, took over all the dog walks while I’ve dealt with a foot injury for the past 6 months, and has been his steadfast positivity in a world where everything seems negative. I’m grateful to have our health, our families, our pets, our friends who are only one snapchat away, and for God’s ever-constant protection over us.

Thank you for reading this, I pray you also can say you got to the other side of 2020 unscathed. And if you didn’t, I am so sorry - I can’t imagine what you are going through, but I can pray for comfort and peace for you.

Here is a collection of images that I feel summarize our year, as well as some of the beautiful moments we captured for our clients.

Have a safe and healthy Christmas and a joy-filled new year!

Sincerely,
Jessie