She was meant to be mine.
The words whispered themselves in the dead of night, echoing off the walls of my mind like a mantra. I was meant to be hers. The memory of that first encounter still brings a smile to my face. I knew the very week I met him that he was the one I would spend my life with. How could I not? The stars aligned, and our paths converged on a small island off Belize, where a farm boy from Canada and a city girl from New York City collided in a whirlwind of love and adventure.
Fast forward to the present, and I find myself standing in the midst of my Vancouver home, a canvas of vintage treasures and eclectic charm. The walls, adorned with artwork, tell the story of a life well-lived, a testament to the countless memories we’ve created as a family. I bought bag after bag after bag of soil and laid it layer by layer over the shale, transforming the barren landscape into a lush oasis. From acting to motherhood, from Uganda to Rome to Vancouver, from idealism to pragmatism, from chaos to order – every step of this journey has led me to this moment.
A Life of Adventure and Purpose
As a UN worker, my husband Ross has spent years serving the world, and I’ve had the privilege of accompanying him on this journey. We met over 20 years ago, and from that moment on, we knew we were meant to be together. We settled in NYC, and one day, he said, “Let’s get married and move to Africa.” I said yes, and left behind the only life I knew. It was a risk, but it was also the best decision I ever made. We started the adoption process for our daughter in Uganda, and our son in Rome. Our family has grown to include three children from two different continents, each with their unique story and charm.
A Home in Vancouver
After years of traveling and living abroad, we decided it was time to put down roots. We began searching for the perfect home in Vancouver, a city that would become our base and a place for our children to call home. The market was booming, and offers were coming in above asking, so we had to move fast. I didn’t love this house when we first saw it, but my husband saw something in it that I didn’t – the wildness of the mountain and the land around it. We kept looking, but nothing was speaking to us, so I suggested we take another look at this house. On our next visit, I felt like I was home. We had a lot of renovation to do, but we were determined to make this house our own.
Renovating Our Home
I had to re-drywall the entire house, and we removed beams to create a more open layout. We moved the wood stove from the center of the room to the wall, and I wanted a yard. The mountain is mostly shale, and I knew it would not be easy, but I bought bag after bag after bag of soil and laid it layer by layer over the shale. It was a labor of love, but it was worth it. Our home is now a reflection of our family’s story, a testament to the power of love and adventure.
A Home Full of Vintage Treasures
As I walk through my home, I see the pieces of our journey on display. Each item has a story, a memory, or a lesson attached to it. My home is a reflection of my personality, a fusion of vintage and modern, eclectic and charming. I’ve always been drawn to the beauty of imperfection, and my home is a testament to that. I’ve collected vintage treasures from our travels, and each piece has a story to tell. From the antique furniture to the vintage artwork, every item has been carefully curated to create a space that is both beautiful and meaningful.
Conclusion
As I stand in my Vancouver home, surrounded by the people and things I love, I am reminded of the journey that brought us here. From acting to motherhood, from Uganda to Rome to Vancouver, from idealism to pragmatism, from chaos to order – every step of this journey has led me to this moment. My home is a reflection of our family’s story, a testament to the power of love and adventure. It’s a space that is both beautiful and meaningful, a place where we can create memories and make new ones. I am grateful for this journey, and I am excited to see what the future holds for our family.
