Hey, you inspire.

I'm pretty excited about our feature for this week, and honestly (though cliche) cannot even believe that it's Tuesday again. Where are the days, weeks, and months going?!?

If you don't already know, I have a soft spot for the wedding industry. Sometimes it may be a love/hate relationship (most specifically with wedding cakes) but it's an enchanted industry and I try to keep involved with it among the other projects I have going on. Because of this, I'm quite fond of today's feature where we are spotlighting Courtney Carver's choice, the lovely Tessa Woolf. Tessa is the Editor of Salt Lake/Park City Bride & Groom Magazine, and here are the insights she's provided us on her life.

Give us the basics, where were you born, and where have you lived?  

I was born and raised in Salt Lake City. I always thought I wanted to live somewhere else--and I did, for awhile, in Southern California--but now I love SLC and am proud to call it my home. It's fun to see the city changing and growing, and I feel lucky to live somewhere surrounded by The Great Outdoors. 

If you had to summarize your childhood in 3 words, what would they be?

My childhood in three words: Creative, Playful, Loving

 

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

When I was young, I wanted to be so many things--the first female President, an actress, an Olympian, a news broadcaster--but one thing always stuck: a writer. I knew I wanted to write for a living and tell stories, which lead me to journalism. 

Now that you're "grown up," what's your dream job? (you cannot answer "mother" - even if you want to) 

In some ways, I have my dream job as a magazine editor--another position I always wanted to hold. But I'd love to be able to travel the world as a freelance writer, be a novelist, or live in Spain and be the editor of a bilingual publication. 

List 5 things you're passionate about:

Five things I'm passionate about: Family, friends, the written word, travel, champagne 

How are you different now than you were 5 years ago? 

I'd say the biggest ways I'm different now than I was five years ago are that I've learned to be more flexible and I am more confident. 

What piece of advice would you give a 21 year old version of yourself? 

I would encourage my 21 year old self to be less self-conscious, to travel as much as possible, to take time to explore and not rush growing up, and to be more brave and adventurous. 

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?

If I could change one thing about myself it would be my tardiness...I'm perpetually running five minutes late!

If you could have one super-power, what would you choose? 

My super power of choice would be to spread love and kindness the way Tinkerbell spreads fairy dust. Being able to fly would be pretty awesome, too. 

Share with us a secret or lesser-known talent or skill you have. 

A lesser known power of mine would be that I remember addresses and directions super well--I can drive somewhere once or visit a city once, and I always remember how to get back there and how to get around.  

Share with us a quote that inspires, motivates, or moves you. 

I have two quotes that inspire me: One comes from my dad, who has always told me to not be afraid to "go into the deep blue," be it in relationships or life in general. This has a lot of meaning for me as I love the ocean and feel very at home by the sea--even though the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean can be scary. The second quote is an excerpt from Lewis Carroll's "Through The Looking Glass," one of my favorite books along with "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland": 

Alice laughed. “There’s no use trying,” she said. “One can’t believe impossible things.”

“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, somethings I’ve believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

In addition to her position as Editor, Tessa also blogs daily on the magazine's website, manages their Facebook page, AND she's also a freelance writer and blogger via her personal site xoxoReese. You can also connect with Tessa on Twitter via @TessaWoolf. 

Join us next week to see who Tessa finds inspiring. Be there.