Texas Roads, Korean Roots, and a Little Poppy Flower
There’s something about golden hour in Texas that feels like a country song and a memory at the same time.
Recently, I had the chance to do a photoshoot at Cross Roads Park in Temple with my Bronco Sport, Lisa, captured by the incredibly talented LaRue Photography. And honestly? This shoot felt like me. Not the polished version. Not the “trying to have it all together” version. Just… me.
A little soft around the edges lately. A little tired. A little out of rhythm.
But still standing in the Texas sun with messy dreams, boots on, and hope tucked somewhere under a denim jacket.
I’ve shared before that I’m half Korean, and reconnecting with that side of myself has become really important to me over the years. But I’m also deeply Texan. Like sweet tea, backroads, Buc-ee’s, boots, and sunset drives kind of Texan.
This shoot captured both sides of me in a strange but beautiful way.
The clean lines and soft elegance.
The denim and dirt roads.
The quiet confidence and the playful chaos.
And somehow Lisa, my Bronco Sport, fits right into that story. She’s carried me through photoshoots, coffee runs, bad days, healing seasons, and those random drives where you just need music loud enough to clear your thoughts.
A vehicle becomes more than a vehicle after a while. It becomes part of your story.
I’m not going to pretend I’ve been fully on my game lately.
Life has been life-ing.
I’ve gained some weight. I’ve been inconsistent at the gym. I haven’t always felt like the strongest or most confident version of myself recently. But looking through these photos reminded me of something important:
You don’t have to hate yourself to want to improve yourself.
That realization hit me somewhere between the lens flare and the sunset.
This isn’t a “bounce back” era.
This is a “come home to yourself” era.
And honestly? I’m excited to get back into the gym again. Not as punishment. Not because I need to shrink. But because I miss feeling strong. I miss feeling energized. I miss feeling connected to myself.
If you look closely at some of these photos, you’ll spot my little poppy flower tattoo.
That tiny flower means more to me than most people realize.
Poppies symbolize so many things:
Peace
Remembrance
Dreams
Resilience
Hope after hardship
Beauty that survives difficult seasons
Which feels painfully on brand for my life lately.
The tattoo was done by Rachelle, an amazing fine-line tattoo artist, and I absolutely adored her. Her energy was warm and calming, and somehow she made the whole experience feel easy. Also, fun fact: her hand was so light that getting tattooed honestly tickled more than it hurt. The shading came out beautifully, and I still catch myself staring at it sometimes.
Since then, she's moved to Florida, and while I'm so happy for her, I'm not going to lie... I was a little heartbroken when I found out. She'll forever be the artist behind one of my favorite pieces. I guess I'll just have to plan a trip to Florida the next time I decide I need another tattoo.
One of my favorite little details from this shoot is the sparkling mineral water.
Because, despite the accidental “cowgirl at the rodeo bar” energy these photos give, I actually don’t really drink alcohol. My go-to is sparkling mineral water from HEB. That’s the real Texas luxury right there.
Give me:
sparkling water
good music
sunset lighting
unnecessary Target trip
…and suddenly life feels manageable again.
This shoot reminded me that identity doesn’t have to fit neatly into one box.
I can be Korean and Texan.
Soft and strong.
Healing and growing.
Elegant and awkward.
Confident and still figuring things out.
And maybe that’s the beauty of it all.
Thank you again to LaRue Photography for capturing these moments in a way that felt natural and honest.
And thank you, Lisa, for always looking iconic in photos.
Photographer: LaRue Photography
Location:Cross Roads Park, Temple, Texas
Model: Sabrina Nickerson | Sabby’s Sojourns
Featuring: Lisa the Bronco Sport 🤍
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43:19
Keep scrolling for these amazing photos and some behind the scenes you can also go check out IG Post!
