Heartbreak Mountain

This year has felt like an endless climb up Heartbreak Mountain. Each step has been harder than the last, and just when I thought I’d found my footing, life threw another steep incline my way. Every heartbreak, every challenge, has felt like a new part of the mountain—each one steeper, rockier, and more unforgiving than the last.

Back in March, I faced the first major ascent: the loss of a relationship with someone who was a soul mate. It was a love that shaped me and brought so much beauty into my life. Letting go of that connection was a heartbreak I wasn’t prepared for, and the climb out of that grief felt impossible. It was the kind of heartbreak that strips you down to your core, leaving you wondering how you’ll ever find the strength to move forward. But step by step, I did.

Then came Jason. He arrived like a burst of sunlight breaking through the storm clouds—bold, ambitious, and full of life. He reminded me how to laugh again, how to dream, and how to feel joy in the moment. With Jason, it felt like I’d found a flat stretch on the mountain, a moment to catch my breath. But life has a way of testing you, and when our relationship ended, I found myself facing another steep climb. This time, it wasn’t just about heartbreak—it was about letting go of the version of myself I saw when I was with him.

And then, there’s my girls.

The heartbreak of watching Ava fight her way back after her traumatic brain injury is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s the kind of heartbreak that doesn’t have a clear path or a summit in sight. Seeing her strength and determination inspires me every day, but the weight of it all—the fear, the helplessness, the endless hope—has made this part of the climb feel like walking through a storm.

And Elle—my beautiful, strong Elle—has carried her own weight on this mountain. Balancing school, sorority life, and being a sister to Ava has been so much for her. Watching her struggle to maintain her identity while carrying the burden of this family’s heartbreak has been its own kind of ache. She’s been so resilient, but I know this climb has taken a toll on her, too.

Through all of this, my family has been my anchor. My parents and my sisters—Shyleen, Jolyn, and Krista—have shown up for me in ways I will never forget. Their love and support have been the ropes keeping me tethered when I felt like I might fall.

And while I’ve had to put my photography business on hold, my clients remain a bright spot in my life. Capturing their stories, their love, and their laughter is something that fills me with so much joy. Though my camera may be resting for now, I know I’ll return to it someday with a renewed passion and perspective.

Even my love for travel has had to wait. The adventures, the exploration, the freedom—it’s all paused for now. But I remind myself that the world will still be there when I’m ready to explore it again.

Each of these heartbreaks has been a new, harder part of the climb. Some days, the weight of it all feels too much to carry. But I’ve learned to rest when I need to, to lean on the people who love me, and to find small moments of joy even in the midst of the struggle.

If you’re climbing your own Heartbreak Mountain, know that you’re not alone. Each part of the climb is shaping you, strengthening you, and preparing you for the breathtaking view that’s waiting at the top.

Here’s to the climb, the growth, and the beauty we find in the struggle. Keep going—you’re stronger than you think.