A little bit of nirvana.

I think I reached nirvana. At least for now. At least a little bit.

This past weekend, my husband and I took our wedding photography company to the largest bridal tradeshow in Canada. Sorry, let me say that again, just so I can read myself typing it:

This past weekend, my husband and I took our wedding photography company to the largest bridal tradeshow in Canada.

We arrived to find that we were nothing more than a little fish in a very, very big pond. The competition amongst photography and cinematography companies was enormous and our booth featured two (only two) canvas prints for visitors to view, amid a wide array of home-style photo frames showcasing our favourite photos in a small 4"x6" format. We did have our two computers to showcase our photo & video work in a slideshow format, but in comparison with large, corporate photography agencies and moguls who had 50"x30" prints of their fabulous work, we didn't seem like much of anything.

We brought a photobooth to the event and to our credit I can say that John and I have excellent marketing experience and a thorough understanding of the importance of a follow-up strategy which does give us an advantage in that department.

Our space was humble and homely and fortunately for us really was one of a kind. In that it was really, really simple. Really, really homey. Really, really us.

We brought our own home decor to make it what it was, and I suppose it helps that we built a brand which reflects our own values, lives and personalities. There's no need for us to put on a show or an image: we are the show, we are the image, and we are the company.

However, I was in great fear. The expense of these opportunities is high and it put us out financially when we signed up, a cost we were willing to incur for the risk/reward.

But God did bless us, people loved the down-home vintage style we offer, and I want to use this post to share that I was so excited to find "my place" in our company and in this world. I love being a mother and a wife, a friend and a home-maker, but I also love management and I love New Vintage Media. I loved meeting so many people and sharing information about our services and really connecting with them. I felt as though I made dozens of connections this past weekend and although it is a little draining at times to be socially on-the-go for 12 hour days, I felt as though I reached a little bit of nirvana*.

We are put on this earth to fulfill many roles, and as moms it can become so tempting to believe that we should feel guilty if something other than our family position takes priority. Lilian was in care with family during the weekend (although we did go visit her at night), and John and I were set to work for days without distraction. Many times I felt as though I was betraying her, but it was encouraging - and is encouraging - to see that God responds to us when we ask him what we're meant to be doing.

I'm meant to be a mother, and I'm a great one.

I'm also meant to be a manager, and an editor, and a copy writer, and dabble in marketing our business. I'm meant to be an entrepreneur and to be a supporter of my husband's endeavors, creative and otherwise.

And I just wanted to share that with you.

*Before you get your panties in a wad, no, I don't use that word in the Buddhist sense, and yet also, I kind of do.