hats

everyone who knows me associates my name with hats. Dawn + hats. they just go together. that simple. just like the word camera or pictures is associated with my name as well. even kids who have known me for their three year middle school career have been surprised to know that i was a leader the whole time. they thought i was simply the picture lady. that is somewhat disappointing having been involved so much, but at the same time i can't blame them as they were the kids that were only there for major outreach events.

but back to hats. i loved hats. i still do. since high school and college i can remember going through entire days with one of my favorite hats on. i loved the idea of hats! they were brilliant. it was great to go through an entire day not worrying about what my hair looked like or what kind of hair day the weather would bestow upon me. i didn't even care if my hat matched my clothing or not. it was mine and i could wear whatever i wanted.

fast-forward to today and i wear them much less than i did even a year ago. i was talking with a good friend the other day and she brought up the fact that she noticed i don't wear hats anymore. she asked me why i think it was. i thought for a few moments and her conclusion was right. i don't need to hide under them as much anymore. I walk around with much more confidence in myself. more confidence in who i am and even in what i look like physically. Steve changed me. his constant affirmation has slowly changed the way i feel about myself. women usually always have insecurities we live with our whole lives. but the difference i feel and see in myself from last year to now is like night and day. i wore hats saying it was my own style statement. my friend said when you wear a hat once in a while, that can be a style statement. when you wear hats everyday, all the time... you are hiding. that is very true. my friends, in particular my best friend, has brought me out of my hiding place and i feel so free!

i still like hats. they are very convenient after wearing a motorcycle helmet! but hats don't define who i am. i am more than the hat i wear. and i am more than the camera i hold in my hand.