I'm a whole bag of mixed emotions writing this post, but it's time for my kids and I to leave the beach behind and experience country living!
When we moved here in 2020 it was a time to start fresh, try a new career, meet new people and just enjoy a taste of a different life. I never imagined in the 3.5 years I've been here that I would have a (short but successful) career in real estate, renovate an entire property, start a home staging business, move to Queenstown for 6 months, start my photography business again, design and build a house, then go through a separation.
My head spins a little just thinking about all the things I have done whilst being in the beautiful Bay of Plenty. And there are most certainly a lot of tears as I write this. I feel like this place saved me. But to get there I had to break down first, to experience new things, meet new people and ultimately find myself again.
Over the past year I have given myself a lot of time to heal. I spent winter reading books by the fire, watching endless amounts of movies and ultimately just hibernating with my kids. To suddenly be a single mother, with no income, no support and starting all over again was incredibly difficult. I had so much trauma to heal, so much strength I had to find and I was on my own.
But I believe it was the best thing for me. I needed the space, I needed to drown in my own darkness to find my light again. And now as I come through the other side, it's time to take all the lessons learned and begin yet another chapter.
This past summer has shown me what it's like to LIVE again! To feel loved, to have support and do things I have never done before. And as a result, for the first time in a long time, I have felt lonely.
So I will be moving to a gorgeous villa situated in the serene countryside of Ararimu, on the outskirts of Auckland. with 5.5 acres of bush and rolling hills to explore. I have no doubt my kids are going to embrace this change, myself on the other hand might take a little getting used to. Those who know me know I am not much of a country/farm girl, but I am looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing a new way of life.
I am so incredibly grateful to my beautiful friend and her husband who have given me this opportunity, and allowing me to reside in their gorgeous home. I cannot wait to setup my new studio and have my own space again. This will likely be the most beautiful studio yet, and that's saying something!
My last booking for Tauranga will be April 12 and I will be taking Auckland bookings from May 6.
If I had the privilege of meeting you in Tauranga, I just want to say thank you! Every single person has contributed to my growth in one way or another. And there are a certain few who will always be part of my life now and who I am going to miss fiercely (cue the tears).
I am going to miss my beautiful sanctuary of a home, the beach, the waterfalls and just the simple way of life here. But I'm so excited to be around my family again, to have support, to have loved ones to cook for, to really get my business running and stop living off my precious savings. I was never destined to stay still. My life is about following the opportunities that come my way, and trusting the process.
At 7 & 9, my children will have lived by the beach, the snow and now the country. They are learning to adapt to change, to make new friendships and handle the changes life throws at them. I could not be prouder of my kids and the way they have handled so many ups and downs in their short lives. They have supported me through the hardest time of my life and I couldn't love them more. I cannot wait to finally give them the space they deserve to roam free, explore nature and develop strong friendships that will lead them into high school. And to no longer have to endure the 6 hour return drive to Auckland every 2 weeks!
Thank you to all my amazing clients who have supported me and trusted me to capture you. Every single shoot here has meant the world to me and I am so grateful for your support! Papamoa will always have my heart and one day that beachfront house will be mine! ;)
Here's a few photos that sum up the last 3.5 years. Now let the next adventure begin....
Love Casey xxx
