It sounds, in those simple terms stated above, that for me life is smooth and well taken care of... and in a way, yes it is, but I stop and take a step back.... and I look at the bigger picture.  I think about everything that I have done in my life, in these last 36 years, and realize that through it all, one of the single greatest challenges has been finding my "tribe" / my "community" outside of my immediate and close family. Building a network... a SISTERHOOD of Mothers and women that I can call on, count on, be surrounded by. Women who value my opinions, dreams, troubles... who listen and hold space, who love my children with a fierceness and who I love and trust.

A community, that one time, would have been close-knit and dependable due to a need to survive... before sprawling subdivisions and technology... villages of woman and girls working side by side, embracing and welcoming womanhood, not fearing body changes or trying to "hide" their newly forming breasts or menses. A community where girls, women, mothers, grandmothers had each others backs through the heartbreak of a miscarriage, illness, food shortage, home fire, death. To comfort those filled with grief was natural instead of taboo.

I have come to understand that in this time, in this country, the likelihood of me living in this type of close-knit village is slim, so instead I have sought out my own version of this village. I have created bonds in every location that I have lived, lifelong bonds. I seek out women whom I know will forever be part of my forever tribe. My tribe, my community, my sisterhood is growing and I am glowing with the love and warmth that it fills my heart. I made technology my friend, a way to bridge distance, a way to educate and inspire.

I have supported girls and women as a Naturopathic Doctor; listened, respected, educated... and although medical practice was not my passion and calling in this life, this experience and training was a major part of my realization that I want to play a role in other women's journey's as they find and build their own Sisterhood of Womanhood... of Motherhood... This is where my passion to hold Group Motherhood Photography Sessions took root. These sessions are more than photos... they are bonding, inspiring, nurturing... a meeting of other Mothers in your area, they are a way of capturing and sharing this moment with the world.

Building a community can take on many forms. For someone, it may be that just seeing the imagery gives them hope and strength. Whether that hope and strength propels them to continue nursing their toddler when family or friends disagree, whether it gives them the courage to start a local Mommy-Group, whether it allows them to stand up for a personal value that they believe in with regards to their body/baby/lifestyle. In all these ways, we are building a Community... A Sisterhood.

Mothers out there, I believe in you! Find your Mommas and Women. Stand together in your similarities and your differences. Support and love each other fiercely. Be a friend, feel with your heart, follow your intuition, love yourself... mind-body-spirit-... and help other woman do the same. The WOMAN is a symbol of LIFE. Teach our young girls this. Be there for each other, truly, with your whole heart!

We are Girls, We are WOMEN, We are Daughters, We are Mothers... We are a SISTERHOOD!

I look forward to meeting so many more of you amazing women! I look forward to inspiring you through my photography, events, and words!
So much love from Welcome Arms,
Mandy

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