A moment for me. (Week 2)

Everybody has a story to tell, here is mine.
Let’s start with the basics…I am Dakota. My story began about 27 years ago in a small hospital room, but I think you know how the rest of that probably goes. So lets actually begin somewhere else, what makes me Dakota? For starters my mind is like someone emptied the kitchen junk drawer onto a trampoline, I am very scatter-brained. I am also a mom, a photographer, and a dreamer.
Being a mom has been my greatest accomplishment so far. I have random dance parties in my living room with my 4 year old on a daily basis. I had my son at a young age, so life moved a little faster in my twenties than most woman my age. Coming soon is a new addition to our family, Miss Kinley, expected arrival April 2018.
For over 10 years I have had a love for photography since my mom decided to hand me down her old point and shoot. Soon after that I found an outlet to express myself, and my creativity. I am self-taught, and by that I mean I have spent hundreds of hours researching and discovering tips and techniques from other photographers that I admire.
My dreams, well these span near and far. From finally wanting to finish college, to owning an old VW bus and traveling the world. Most of my dreams are for many years down the road, but that's why dreams exist right? I hope to become more known for my photography, and branch out into team with some pretty bad-ass photographers accompanying me.
Normally I will admit, I don’t stand out in a crowd, I have always somewhat “blended” in. I wasn’t someone whose name appeared in their high school for some great athletic achievement, nor was I the Valedictorian of my graduation class. None the less, I still made my mark, maybe not to others, but to myself.
You are probably thinking I am a photography major, but in fact I am a nursing major. Along with some great skills behind the camera, I also have a love to help people.
One day I will be the person standing between a patient and death, and I hope that all my collegiate years prepare me for it. I spend endless hours studying, some nights crying, and others just wanting to completely throw the book in…fun fact: COLLEGE SUCKS. I say that with all the love I can because I actually do like learning. I have tried this “college thing” for many years, and finally found my niche for the right path.
Back on track here, like I mentioned earlier, I am scatter brained.
I hope one day I can be a part of the Rising Tide Society, where I can help inspire creative entrepreneurs. To be a part of this wonderful organization, I first need to establish a well developed business and following. These might not be the criteria, but to me it is. I want to be able to influence others like me, the ones who haven’t exactly made their mark in the world yet, who struggle to make ends meet yet strive to be better the next day. You can only be better than who you were yesterday.

I learned many years ago to stop comparing myself to others and dance to the song in my own mind.