Honest To Blog -- Life Partner

So far in my Honest To Blog series I've delved into the world of personal obstacles, blogging blunders, and maybe a semi-rant or two, but they've all had a sort of "Debbie Downer" feeling about them. Maybe it's because I use this series as a platform to talk about the things most of us don't want to bring up in every day life... It's so easy to talk about how the world is so magical and filled with rainbows and positivity. (Believe me, I totally like living in that world, too, but you've gotta balance it with reality or you're sure to float clear off into outer space.) Anyway, I had an HTB topic all ready to go, but then I realized I didn't want to spend this Sunday looking for reassurance from others. Instead, I wanted to write about something happy... something that fills my days with absolute sunshine.


That, my sweet Honeybees, is my wonderful fiance, Mike. I had thought of writing this for our anniversary next month, but I didn't want to use a special day as the excuse to write something nice about him. Any ol day is the perfect day to tell someone you love that your life wouldn't be the same without them!

Our story probably isn't too different from most, but we do have a fairly interesting work situation when it comes to how we operate together. Both Mike and I aspire to be 100% self-employed. We take great pride in our crafts and skills, and we hope to fully support ourselves through our creative work. He's a professional lifestyle photographer and he's a giant hand in our Honeybean Dream. But did you know that he's also an absolute vital part of Little Chief Honeybee? Yeah, you know he takes my outfit photos and whatnot... I know many non-style bloggers typically side-eye at the "dude" in the relationship playing photog for their ladies while prancing around in dresses and whatnot but he takes them because he truly enjoys it. That's not to say we don't have the occasional disagreement about location or composition or lighting, but we're a team. His influence doesn't stop there, though. He regularly crafts and photographs my DIY posts when I'm busy with other work. He helps me dream up post ideas, refine them and make them better. He's been a wonderful help with my e-book, shooting and listing pieces for Kaelah's Closet, and oh my stars, my Etsy! I managed to teach Mike how to make many of the items I sold in my Etsy and he'd sit for hours, crafting away with me. We'd watch NCIS or chit chat while we worked. Whenever I made a sale he'd go check inventory, pull it out and package it all up for me. He'd even take it to the post office. It's kind of like having the world's best assistant. Please don't think I take advantage of his willingness to help me though! He always assures me that he's just as personally invested in the Kaelah Bee-ness as I am. 

He may not get the recognition for it that I do, but absolutely none of this would be possible without his unwavering support and help. It's kind of wonderful knowing I'm never in this alone.

I always try to return the favor when I can. I've regularly assisted him on photoshoots... Holding the reflector here or there, carting his umbrellas or softboxes. At the end of the day all that matters to us is that we're doing what we love, and we're lucky enough to get to do it together. We want to rely on no one but ourselves when it comes to finances. We have to believe our work is good enough to pay our bills. It can be hard, but having a constant source of reassurance is priceless.

We had a talk last night before heading to work, about where we wanted to see ourselves and what exactly we wanted to be doing. There were no "exacts" such as physical locations, but our conversation was one of the most inspiring things we've ever shared. We've had these dreams for so long, and now it's time to see those big dreams into even bigger realities. We're going to be each other's support system along the way. We're going to face obstacles, we're going to disagree, and we're going to question ourselves at some point or another... the important thing is that we just keep moving forward. Everything we do in life is a partnership... so he's just that... my professional/work and life partner. Always.

So this is a big THANK YOU to Mike... for always being my #1 fan. 

Oh, did I mention we have a wedding date finally?! And I've picked out my dress! It's a good day, folks!

Now go hug someone special in your life. If you're not close in distance then call them up and tell them they're one of a kind. Tell them exactly why they make your life better. This can be a relative, best friend, your favorite blogger or even the barista that makes your coffee each morning. There are plenty of people out there that make our lives easier and/or better, and we don't need to wait for an excuse to come around to say so! 

Who helps motivate you to be a better person? To succeed? Who do you want to share appreciation for?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Honest To Blog is a weekly free-writing feature here on LCH where I share thoughts, frustrations, and simply things I haven't blogged elsewhere. Sometimes it's happy, sometimes it's a little more bittersweet. The important part of the feature is simply that it's honest. My opinion may not be the most popular every now and again, but it's mine. Feel free to shares yours, too! You can read the rest of this series by clicking here!

42 comments:

  1. Go Mike!
    That's so sweet Kaelah, sounds like you've definitely got a keeper!
    Loving the Honest to Blog series.

    x Lisa
    http://thecraftartykid.blogspot.com/

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  2. congratulations on setting a date!

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  3. Ah! What a sweetheart! I just imagined you two sitting with your pups crafting fascinators on the couch! It is so lovely to hear that you're with somebody who really brings out the best in you and gives you such a comfortable and loving place to reach for your goals from. I feel the same way about my boyfriend Cam and I've just never been so happy. It's like when all those cliches in movies and songs finally make sense!

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  4. That was such a wonderful read, Kaelah! Mike seems like an amazing person, and it is so nice to read about how happy you are together and how supportive you are of each other <3 xo

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  5. This was so sweet! What a wonderful story-you two are so inspring. My fiance and I are both going into creative fields (film for him, and photography for me!) and we also want to be self-employed. You are so inspiring, and I'm glad that you two support each other so much!

    Lindsey Soup

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  6. oh kaelah mike sounds like an absolute gem, and you seem to work really well together. you're both inspiring individually and as a team :-)
    x
    ps erm EXCITEMENT at setting the wedding date!

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  7. ooo i loved reading this! my boyfriend is a big help to me. he's very supportive although i haven't gotten him to do crafts with me. lol
    anthony did encourage and support me when i quit my terrible job (6 months ago) and has stepped up on paying bills and stuff while i get my business going. when i do a photoshoot he's my assistant (and he's GREAT at getting kids to smile) and when i'm fixing computers he helps out if he knows something i don't. he's not artsy at all, but he does give me ideas for my comic and when i did my first craft show he was a HUGE help getting everything set up (and bringing my friend and me alcoholic beverages because the show was pretty lame). i definitely couldn't do this without him!

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  8. Aw, I love this <3 I love having a supportive partner! And I am so excited to hear that you've picked a wedding date! Are you keeping it a secret : )


    x
    Lost in the Haze

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  9. The two of you make a wonderful team and your love for one another shines through (even without this nicely written HTB post .. you always write about Mike in very loving terms.)

    Loulou @ Loulou Downtown

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  10. Jen, my wife, my soul mate, my best friend also motivates me. She is amazing. Because of her, I have my blog. Because of her, I work towards my dream career daily. Because of her, I love who I am inside and out because she's helped me to see how great I am.

    She's the one I can laugh with, cry with and do nothing with. She understands me and get's me, cares for me and respects me, teases me and pranks me and we have so much fun together, so much specialness that we share.

    She is truly the love of my life. ♥

    This was a gorgeous post, Kaelah!

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  11. I absolutely love this post! I've been talking away about the future with my love and there is nothing better than knowing there is someone there with you forever.
    You and Mike are super lucky to have each other!

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  12. Aw, this is lovely. It's amazing how much confidence it can give us just to have someone we love say, "Well... why DON'T you?"

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  13. It is nice to see you two are so compatible. My husband (also named Mike) and I are the same way. I know it must mean a lot that you support each other. I told my husband back when we were dating that I would support his dreams as long as he kept my happiness. He has always wanted to work in the video game industry. He went to school the be a 3D modeler. I have moved cross country twice for him- Once to Seattle (which I miss) and then to Virginia when he finally found a job in field. Many people think I am silly for just packing up every time he wants to move, but I know what I am doing. I just love to travel, so moving really isn't a big deal to me. I have never been very career oriented, either. I have seen what having a job you hate does to a family. And things have been super great since the move to Virginia. He finally has a job he doesn't dread, he is also working on an Indie game with some of his coworkers, and I have discovered the joys of blogging.

    Sorry I can't of went off on a tangent about myself. I just go back to the fact that I really admire that you plan to be self made. More than plan, actually, you are doing it. You both are. The support and love you two have for each other will lead to a very happy and fulfilling life together.

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  14. For me, that person is William. We've been friends for years and a "we" for a year now. He's the best man I've ever met and always lets me feel how I want to feel. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed I forget what I truly want and he is the person that always reminds me what that is. When I'm anxious about something, he gets mad about it and rants and tells me how he'll fix it and suddenly I'm not anxious anymore. I feel safe and loved. He is everything to me.
    Love and Turtledoves,
    Jacqueline

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  15. so happy you are happy! <3 although i am single now, i've always found that the best partners are the ones who share and support your dreams while still making time for their own.

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  16. My motivator and support is my boyfriend of 4 years, Jordan =) I'm an RN student and it he is always there, helping me study medical terms by coming up with funny acronyms, holding me when I had a bad day at the hospital and never wavering, ever. I am thankful every day to be fortunate enough to have the love of that man <3

    I love that you have found someone to share your life with Kaelah! congratulations on setting a date!

    <3 Sarah
    theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

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  17. This is why whenever I hear women complaining about not finding cool dudes I think: you want to fish something better, change your bait. There definitely are wonderful men out there. My husband is also one of them. There are no limits for a man of true love. It's an incredible thing. Happy to hear you're in that true love boat too. It's a fucking privilege.

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  18. Mike sounds like a wonderful person! So happy for you! And how exciting that you picked a wedding date, mine's September next year :)

    xo Lisa

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  19. you guys sound like an awesome team, and congratulations on setting the wedding date!! xx

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  20. that is exactly what a good relationship comes down to - supporting each other in every way possible. I've been with my boyfriend for almost 3 years now and if we wouldn't work together the way we do, things would be a lot harder!!

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  21. ah! so cute. :) so sweet, girl. congrats!

    love, rach.
    www.so--hi.blogspot.com

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  22. This is such an inspiring post. My hope is to find someone who is just as motivating, encouraging, helpful, and supportive as your man!!!

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  23. It makes me feel so good to read about that :) It all sounds so blissful. I just found my better half a year ago and I still can't believe how much I love, admire and respect him, and how I get everything and more back from him: love, respect, admiration, support... everything :)

    http://fromheretofashion.blogspot.com/

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  24. Aww what a cute story! :)

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  25. wow, that's amazing. you blew me over!

    it is so so sweet and I feel so happy, all warm inside knowing that you have him and I am looking forward for mine to come.

    love is one great thing. i am thankful for love, as well as you who can put the right words out for all of us to think and appreciate. xo ♡

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  26. This post is just lovely!..really make me miss my boyfriend though. We are both living in different countries at the moment doing courses in what we love so that this can create the opportunity for us to be together and working together to create an amazing life with one another(were planning our dream house already). Its hard not to read your post and not be totally jealous that you and your parters lives are so intertwined but it has made me more determined to hopefully some day have that life with the love of my life too. x

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  27. This is so sweet. It's such a blessing when you find "the one" that can be your life partner in every sense of the word. Thanks for sharing with us all the sweet, sweet, things Mike does for you!! You are an adorable, and inspirational couple!

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  28. OH! And congratulations on setting a date! Can't wait to hear the news!

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  29. Love this! It's all too easy to talk about the negative things in our lives (I do love a good rant myself!), but in actual fact it's way more fun and satisfying to tell someone that they rock your socks off!! Not only does it make THEIR day better, but it helps us appreciate how awesome our lives really are. :D

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  30. Congrats on setting a date! This post was lovely. It's so great when you find a significant other that is truly your partner. You guys are obviously very happy together. :)

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  31. oh you beautyful!! i love your stile and your blog!!!
    where did you bye all these wonderful dresses??? i love them!!!!

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  32. I could say the same about my dear man. He came here in my home, far from his birth city and he upports me everyday. It's a true partner for my business too. He helps me when i have an exhibition, he encourages me when i'm down, he takes time for me. HSometimes i help him on photoshoot ( i know what you do, i do the same ! ) or for reading his students works. Without him i could never travel so much with my art and i thank hime very much. We will become my husband next year.... Fun to read someone with similar experience than me.

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  33. That's so sweet that he's so helpful and considerate. Where would we be without awesome boyfriends/fiances? :)

    -Arielle
    www.humblepievintage.com

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  34. Congratulations on setting a date!! Can't wait to hear more on your wedding plans!

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  35. YAY for Mike! He sounds pretty awesome. And I am really happy that he helps you with your crafts and store because he wants to, not becaue he has too. He sounds like a sweet heart! Things like this make me happy, guys who help their girls craft and stuff, even if its not a "manly" thing to do. :D
    You are so inspiring! Thanks for sharing this today!!

    <3

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  36. Ohhh this is such a nice post. You are very lucky girl. I must say that the picture is beautful xxx

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  37. That's great you have a dress and a date for your wedding now. Congratulations on that! My husband sometimes takes the photos of me and he loves doing it too. He's been fond of photography for a long time though and got me into it.

    I enjoyed reading your lovely story of you two. how nice!!!! aw. That's great he helps you with what you sell on etsy!

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  38. I also have a special Mike in my life :) What would we do without our wonderful Mikes? (:

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  39. I have been following your blog for a few months now and even though I do not comment often it makes me so very happy to see someone so full of life and love. Often we get lost in the things we don't have we forget to enjoy what we do. My husband is my biggest cheerleader and most honest critic because everything he says is out of love. I treasure every moment with him and our life is full of adventure together.

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  40. Awww, this is SO awesome! Isn't it sooo nice to know that you two were obviously made for each other? I love that. <3 Congrats on picking a wedding date and getting your dress!! Exciting!!

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  41. Aw! You're lucky to have such a sweet guy! I can only hope I end up with a guy as awesome! <3

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  42. Aww, this post was so sweet- I love your guy's love for each other. I think it's so great that you both are crafty and aim to be self employed- sometimes I kind of wish I could share more of that part of myself with my husband. I can't WAIT to see what you have in store for your wedding- i know it's going to be so gorgeous.

    <3LJ

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB