I have a lot of hobbies…a lot. It seems as though every month I pick up another hobby. Steve’s not so keen on the idea. It always takes more time, and of course more money. So although I enjoy sewing, cooking, gardening, home projects, furniture building and sports; I have two staple hobbies, graphic design and photography. Together they consume a lot of my spare/downtime without children.

I really enjoy the design because it is so flexible. Kids are napping, I design. Kids are down for the night, I design. Steve’s gone for the evening, I design. It doesn’t interrupt my family’s life too much; which I love. Photography on the other hand isn’t done at 8 o’clock at night. I try and keep photo shoots to a minimum because it always interrupts my time with family.

One particular night last week I had a family shoot downtown. I was rushing to get out the door on time as Steve came in the door after work one night. Hallie kept asking to come. I was in a hurry. I didn’t want to be late. I didn’t want to get stuck in traffic. And I surely didn’t want to keep track of Hallie while I was shooting. She kept begging to come. I pushed her off and pushed her off. I walked out the door and got in the car, put the car in reverse and had this overwhelming sense of guilt. I ran back in the house, ran downstairs and asked Hallie if she wanted to join me. She was ecstatic. I made my expectations very clear. No needing to use the restroom or get a drink and there was going to be a lot of walking and she couldn’t tell me she was tired. She quickly agreed and we got her shoes on and we were out the door.

We show up downtown to the historic third ward and as chances would have it, the family was late. So we made ourselves comfortable at a cute public market and started to talk. Hallie just talked and talked. She had so much to say. She asked questions about the shoot, about the buildings, about the people around us. I loved it. I loved that the family was 40 minutes late. It meant more time with my little girl.

When the family did show up they had a little girl who was 3 years old. Hallie made friends with her and they ran around holding hands and laughing. It was great. Hallie didn’t complain once. She was very quick to listen. (Although I did have to talk to her a couple times, I had to keep reminding myself she was young!)

On the way home we stopped to grab a little treat and she was telling me how much fun she had. My heart melted. I almost rushed out the door earlier in the day leaving her behind. I could’ve possibly missed out on the special opportunity we had to spend some one on one time together. I’m so grateful I listened to the still small voice that told me to run back in the house and grab a girl who was crushed she couldn’t go with her mom.

It made a huge impact on me.

And I’m pretty sure she’ll remember it too.