Yes, you did indeed read that correctly— our little family is moving back to Las Vegas!
Matthew and I met in high school in Las Vegas in 2013 and pretty much were both infatuated with each other at first site. I will forever say that this had to have been the closest thing to love at first site and I was lucky enough to find that person so early in life. We ended up dating for about 4 and a half years and then Matthew got down on one knee and proposed.
A year later (this last June), we were married.
In 2014, I moved to Reno, NV to start college at the University of Nevada, Reno. A semester later, Matthew made his way north and we were able to start our lives away from our families— it was just me and him.
College was a blast. We honestly had so much fun, we learned SO much about each other, and we explored living in a new city together (even if we didn’t technically live in the same house.) It was a four year long adventure and we would not have had it any other way.
I am SO THANKFUL for my time spent in the beautiful Reno, NV.
I am thankful for the way God changed my heart after my first year of hating Reno— I quickly began to love the city after I got back into photography.
I am thankful for all of the relationships that I formed in this major “community over competition” town
I am thankful for all of the people that supported us, encouraged us, and made us feel like we had our lives together, even if we really didn’t
I am thankful for the constant encouragement for my business and my new business endeavors
I am thankful for the Nevada Humane Society and whoever it was that found our new little furry friend walking the streets of Washoe County— we would be LOST without Bruno and adopting him was the best decision we ever made.
I am so thankful that we were able to get married in Reno and live in our first house together (even though my brother is our roommate hahah)
I am thankful for the city that brought Matthew and I closer than ever, the city that forced us to fully trust each other, and the city that made us realize that wherever we go next, we’ll be okay because we have each other.
We will ultimately be moving to Vegas come end of December/ early January. YES— it’s really freaking quick. Matthew and I have been contemplating this move for months now, trying to decide if it would be the best thing for us.
When we came back to visit in October, it kind of clicked that this is where we both needed to be. Matthew will be moving back and getting a new job that will be amazing for our family, I will most likely be getting a job to start and then going full time again in photography and styling. I am going to emphasize my work in wardrobe styling, so be prepared for a mini rebrand/refocus for my business!
And we decided that all of this needed to happen as soon as it possibly could happen.
Vegas also just makes sense. Both of our families live within 10 minutes of each other, we have endless aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents here, we will be living in a house (come June) that is right in the middle of the two homes, and there are so many more opportunities for our careers in this big city.
We are wildly excited to see what this new adventure may hold.
So there you have it— the biggest little secret that I have been keeping for a month now, but dying to share.
Now, we’re ready for Vegas. Except that we still have to pack our whole house— yay *rolls eyes*.
Reno, I love you. And I can’t wait to come visit all of the beautiful faces that I will miss so dearly. Thank you for making this chapter of our life so fulfilling and exciting.
And to Las Vegas, this next chapter is going to be even better.
XO
Ash
{ Photos by Madison Barton Photography | Edits by Ashlyn Savannah Photo }