She dances
The lift in her torso intentional
With such grace
Her love for artistry felt

Her arms reach upward
Hands a delicate strength that pull you in
Her surroundings of sand and sea
An extension of herself

The mist tangible
As she moves through each extension
Each developpe
Such awareness of her body

With my lens I follow her
Each deep plie
I find myself bend, then rise
Connected in our flow

The direction I give
Always a compliment to her movements
My intention always to follow her lead
To guide when there is pause

The sand
Now a tapestry of toe-prints and lines
As she moves through her choreography
Interpretive, contemporary
Art in motion

Grateful to observe, to capture
Her art-felt imagery
A part of her forever
She dances


*Imagery & prose by Mandy @welcomearms

Tomorrow, my husband and I celebrate our 10 year anniversary and as I sit here reflecting, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude come over me.  I am not one to write personal blog posts, I tend to write poetry or reflect on a photography session while sharing the special moments captured, but I felt the desire to share a piece of what my heart is feeling this evening.

Tomorrow officially marks 10 years of married life, but also reminds me that this is just a drop in the bucket since meeting my Hubby as a teenager, way back in those Junior high days when life was confusing, hormones were going off like fireworks, relationships with friends were shifting, and sense of self was not the most clear.  At 16 years old, I would never have imagined that I had met my soulmate.  I was in a place in my life where I wasn’t living in my authenticity, although at the time, I had no idea. I was on a path… I was an academic, I was athletic, I was artistic… I had goals, I was going to get good grades and win a University scholarship, I was going to do Sciences, I was going to be successful. I knew it, and I was driven. Along the way, there was this boy. He had become a great friend, we enjoyed hanging out… he wanted me to be his girlfriend. We dated and I pushed him away many times, confused by his infatuation with me. He was kind, respectful, honest, caring… I was on a mission and wasn’t interested in ogling over a boy. Thankfully he persevered. Somehow through everything, he has always seen me as ME, even when I didn’t, and for that I am forever grateful.

Life has taken us on many twists and turns. We graduated University together, travelled for a year exploring Australia and New Zealand, continued to grow stronger and closer. When I left my career as a Marine Biologist to study Naturopathic Medicine in British Columbia, he came with me, no questions asked. This experience, living in Vancouver for 8 years, had a profound impact on both of our lives. I was beginning to have many epiphany moments and met people who continue to hold very dear places in my heart. I finally accepted that the vulnerable sides of me are actually strength. I did much inner work during my years training as an ND and thought that I was on my path. 

Our daughter was born in Vancouver, and after moving back home to Nova Scotia and setting up practice, our son was born in 2014. The birth of our son resulted in another major shift for me. I was feeling very low and didn’t feel that practice was an authentic representation of who I was, and although difficult, my husband understood that I needed to take some time for me. How could I practice and support others in health and well-being if I felt completely out of balance myself? Something wasn’t right. What was I missing? I had this amazing husband who supported me in all I that do, even when it seemed as if I was always making new choices. We had these two beautiful, spirited children, who I was so excited to grow alongside us, learning and exploring together. We were surrounded by a loving family that I knew we could count on, and yet I was still feeling lost. Who was I?

The last couple of years have had many ups and downs while I really pursued this question. I knew that even through the roughest of times, he had my back… just as I know I will always have his. There is no doubt in my mind that I can lean on him, rely on him, trust him, call on him. He truly is the definition of “my rock”. I feel that our hearts have been intertwined long before we ever met. We for sure have our differences, but one thing never wavers, and that is our love. I am so beyond grateful that he did not give up on me way back, almost 20 years ago.

In our young life, we have now been together for more than half of our lives. It is still mind-boggling to me in a way, but at the same time so familiar and refreshing. As I pour out my heart today, on this beautiful summer August day, I am beyond grateful for my life partner and say thank-you to him for seeing me for Me! At that tender age of 16, when I was caught up in achievements and grades and struggling with true friendships, he was there. He somehow saw the sensitive, creative, fairy girl with a love for seeing the beauty in all that is life. He somehow knew in his teenage wisdom that I needed time and patience. I thank him for listening to me, to my thoughts, my inner struggles, my dreams. It is much thanks to him that I felt safe enough and had the space, courage, and support to start my company - Welcome Arms, and I have never seen more clearly and felt so in alignment in my life.

MY LOVE... You are my soulmate; I thank you for being you and for loving me so truly.

I love you so.

ILYEM