Welcome to my very first blog entry.  I have to admit that it took me quite a while to get to this point. I consider myself more of an introvert and it really feels scary to suddenly talk about yourself, what you do, and the people in your life. It is the kind of situation where I start questioning everything. How to start? What to say? Are people even interested? So why should I even start blogging? Well it helps with marketing… At least that’s what people tell me. We’ll see about that as it goes on.

The deciding reason for me?

Everything you write is like a journal. Your very own diary that reminds you of special times in your life. Doesn’t it always feel like a hidden treasure when we find old pictures, notes or letters that remind us of something in the past? I want to create something that will remind me of those times. I want to keep as many memories as possible and to create future treasures. I realize that I forget little things in my daily life so fast…maybe it’s just me and my really bad brain.

Now you may ask yourself, why not just write in your private diary or journal? That’s really simple! I probably wouldn’t do it… I guess, having an audience adds some kind of accountability. This being said, here I am. My name is Franziska Annika Koch and I am from Stuttgart –  a city in Germany and for me the most valuable spot on earth. It’s where I lived most of my life, where I met my husband and what I still consider my ‘real’ home.

Speaking of my husband

His name is Martin and he is simply amazing. Don’t get me started because it would fill many, many pages. I know I am the luckiest girl on this planet!! We had been in a relationship for six months when we decided to get married. That was three years ago and, despite the expectations of many, we are still married and happier than ever… (At least I am ;)) I know six months is not a long time to get to know your partner but hey, no risk no gain. And maybe there was a teeny tiny bit of pressure behind it.

Martin got a job offer in the US. As you might know, things are just so much easier when you are married when moving abroad rather than just being a girlfriend. For example, I knew right away that not working was not an option at all! So, one night while eating pizza in front of the TV we decided to get married -I know, so romantic…not. Like the decision we made, our wedding was quick and definitely not what I expected it to be when I dreamed about it as a young girl. It was just the two of us. No maid of honor, no best man and not even our parents. But the best part…

it was perfect just how it was!

Whenever we get asked about our special day, we look at each other start smiling and remember our ten minute ceremony. Two months later, we moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where we live now.

Let me tell you about our first year in the US

It was literally like a rollercoaster ride. We moved to paradise. At least that’s how it felt the first couple of weeks. Twenty minutes to the beach, a pool right outside the door, 80 Degrees in February and time to enjoy it all. I didn’t have a job, of course. And that was the problem. It took less than a month until I got really bored. And I mean REALLY, REALLY bored!!

Martin was working 12 hours Monday through Friday and I waited for him like a little puppy. I wasn’t used to being at home and not doing anything useful. No family, no friends, no job opportunities in the near future. I felt lonely. No one to talk to or to share my experiences during the day. Paradise turned sour and I couldn’t even appreciate the beach and the weather anymore. I became moody, dissatisfied and impatient and poor Martin had to deal with my dissatisfaction. Obviously, because he was the only one there, I wanted to move back home and I complained to my Mom almost every day via Skype how awful the US was…

All is well that ends well!

Luckily, we can laugh about it today but believe me it was not fun at all! I got to know myself in a way I never thought I would. Fast forward today, I am glad everything happened exactly the way it did. I am able again to value the life we get to live here. So much I sometimes can’t even believe it. Martin is still working like crazy – and I am so proud of him – but we use his time off to escape to the most amazing spots the US has to offer and the weekends to chase sunrises around Charleston. I would have never done that if I still lived in Germany…

Everything worked out in the end, it just took a little while and I can’t wait for everything that’s about to come.

Franzi Annika Photography | Charleston Wedding Photographers