Personal

  • snow on family farm
    Personal

    Christmas Traditions

    Growing up as a kid in the Dillon household meant a very special Christmas filled with traditions. This included everything from the day we decorated to the types of gifts we received and the parties we attended. The past two years I have spent Christmas overseas (and will again this year) and Iā€™m very nostalgic on the traditions that havenā€™t been a part of my life in those few years. This year I find myself very emotional and truly missing everyone and everything that stood for what a ā€œtypicalā€ Christmas would look like around Colfax, NC when I was growing up. First it started with when to decorate. We always…

  • Pet Photography, Verona, Italy
    Italy,  Personal,  Travel Tips

    Moving Overseas with a Dog: Presley’s Journey from North Carolina to Italy

    When my fairytale started, we decided up front not to move my dog, Presley, overseas ā€“ for a number of reasons ā€“ none which seem significant in the scheme of things now. One of the reasons includes the fact that I had been on many flights where a dog cried the whole time. It was traumatic and seemed torturous to do that to an animal. I was also naĆÆve about how dog-friendly Italy is and ignorant of the fact that I needed my little man in my life. Before Stephen came along, it was just me and Presley, for 2.5 years through relationships and breakups, schoolwork, late nights, and my…

  • engagement padua italy
    Military Life,  Personal

    A Fairy Tale

    “Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, Love gives you a Fairy Tale.” I have never felt more loved than I have these past two weeks from all the congratulations and support that my fiancĆ© and I have received. While it may have been a shock to so many, aka my family, it wasn’t to those that know me best and have been there every step of the way since Stephen & I first laid eyes on each other. After spending 10 days with him in Europe last Christmas, there was no doubt in my mind that he was the man I was going to…