It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly six years since I started this website. Back then, I was a frazzled, overworked employee, constantly caught up in the endless hours and demands of corporate life. Between long days, being a mom and trying to keep it all together, I had lost touch with something important—my sense of peace, my creativity and the natural world around me.

But in May 2019, everything changed. I remember it vividly. I was overloaded and really needed a break. So, instead of eating at my desk, I decided to step outside and take a walk during my lunch hour. That walk, that simple act of ambling through a nearby park, ended up becoming a transformative moment in my life.

As I wandered, my eyes landed on a patch of black-eyed Susans, their vibrant yellow petals stretching toward the sun. It wasn’t just the flowers that caught my attention, but the peace that flooded over me as I stood there. In that moment, I felt as though time had slowed down, that I had been led to this place by something greater than myself. I was reminded that there was so much more to life than deadlines, demands and responsibilities. It was as though God was gently saying, Look. Breathe. Remember what matters.

At that moment, I snapped a photo and began a new journey. Photography had always been a passion of mine, one I’d shared with my dad, but somewhere along the way, I had forgotten about it. In just trying to stay afloat, I had lost touch with the simple joy of seeing the world through a creative lens.

Those sunny black-eyed Susans were my reminder. It was the first step in rediscovering the quiet, beautiful moments I’d been missing. It was an invitation to amble through life with more intention—to slow down, to walk with purpose and to be amazed by the beauty around me. In a world that constantly urges us to go faster, this walk taught me how important it is to go slower, to amble and to take in the amazing details we so often overlook.

Not long after that, the world itself was forced to slow down. The global pandemic came, and in ways both difficult and surprising, it gave everyone the chance to pause. Suddenly, the hustle and bustle of daily life was interrupted, and we were all faced with a new reality of slower rhythms and quieter moments. But for me, those lessons about slowing down had already begun to take root. I had started walking with intention—capturing moments of peace and rediscovering what truly matters—long before the world came to a standstill.

Now that we’ve emerged from that global pause and things are bustling again, it feels like the perfect time to begin this blog. With everyone busy once more, I want to invite you to slow down with me. I want to remind us both that the beauty and peace we crave are still here, waiting to be noticed. It’s in the small moments—the flowers in bloom, the birds happily chirping, the dew on the grass—that we can find the stillness we need to be fully present in our lives.

It’s now January 2025, and I’m finally sitting down to write this post. It’s a bit surreal, considering the journey that’s led me here. I’m still on this path of rediscovery, still amazed by the world around me. Through photography, I’ve learned to savor life’s simple joys all over again—just like that lunchtime walk in the park. That’s why I chose the name Amazed Ambler, because walking with intention and appreciating the small, often overlooked details are what help make life extraordinary.

This blog isn’t just about my photos; it’s about the journey itself. It’s about learning to notice, to be present and to walk with a spirit of wonder. It’s about embracing the peaceful, ambling rhythm of life, even in the midst of challenges. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, overworked, or like life is out of control, I hope this space offers you a moment of stillness, a chance to pause, look around and—like me—be amazed by the beauty that’s waiting to be noticed.

Thank you for joining me on this walk. I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to share more of the amazing sights I’ve captured along the way.