on change

{ What I Wore on a date: (old) H&M tank (similar) // Storets {vegan} leather skirt // Steve Madden heels ℅ Macy's // clutch ℅ Gigi New York }

all photos | Alyssa Torrech Photography

It is funny to look back at the version of myself that moved to Nashville 5 years ago. I was ending a 4 year relationship, moving away from all my college friends, embarking on a crazy journey towards a Ph.D., living in the "big city" after calling small town Arkansas home my whole life, & oh so young! 

5 years has brought change - new friends, new experiences, a degree, different last name, a career change, many moves, the loss of friends (growing older sadly sometimes means growing apart), & 2 adorable pug children.

I hear change when my alarm now goes off at 5am. I see change when I look in my closet & the pencils skirts have replaced the comfy blue jeans at the front of my wardrobe. I feel change when I come home from work after a 12 hour day of teaching & have never felt more fulfilled. I smell change when my husband cooks dinner, as we both adjust to the new life that is ours (he's shaping up to be pretty skilled in the kitchen!). I taste change when my Friday nights are more like ice cream and a movie on the couch rather than beer and honky tonks downtown.

Change is good. Change is hard. Change is refreshing. Change is the only thing we can grow to count on in this life.

I am so thankful to be surrounded by friends and family that embrace, support, love, and comfort during the many changes and stages in my life.

And just so you know, 26 going on 27 year old Jessica can totally still rock this skirt like 22 year old Jessica once did! Age is just a number right!? (less than 2 months till my 27th birthday and it's making me all sentimental!)

*Except this time, I'm headed out to dinner with my husband instead of dancing on bars with the ladies. Yup, things have changed.

How are things changing in your life? Any profound reflections on how the past 5 years have looked?

P.S. Change up your Summer wardrobe with the J.Crew gift card giveaway going on now. Enter to win here!