How it all began; The long story.
In 2019, I embarked on a family trip to Peru—a last-minute decision that would forever change my life.
As a hopeless romantic, meeting my husband felt like something out of a dream; now as a mother, I see how it might have been reckless. But I’ve always believed that what is meant to be sometimes requires both risks and courage.
The trip was inspired by family—my sister’s future husband is Peruvian, and this was a chance to explore his country and connect with his roots. As a French Canadian, I was excited to dive into the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and rich history of this incredible place.
As an introvert and someone who often prefers solitude, I found myself strolling through a park in Lima to recharge. It was there that I met a man who seemed to stand out from the crowd. I remember feeling different when I met him.
We often hear that meeting the love of your life brings butterflies, chaos, and excitement. But for me, it was the opposite. The world itself is full of turmoil and noise, but he had this grounded, calming energy. He felt safe. Honest. Powerful. He was confident without arrogance, and I remember being struck by the softness in his eyes.
We might have spoken for less than 10 minutes before I returned to my family, but we exchanged names, Facebook profiles, and phone numbers. That brief encounter was enough to change everything.
I’ve always been someone who follows her intuition—especially when it feels important to connect with someone, even if the reason isn’t immediately clear. This “handsome stranger” was a Peruvian Mariner. His life was a whirlwind of travel—spending months at sea, journeying between his ship, Peru, and destinations around the globe.
But from the moment we met, something shifted. Peru wasn’t just another destination for me anymore; it became the place where my heart found a new rhythm. And for him? Canada quickly became more than a far-off destination—it became part of his story, too.
It’s difficult to calculate time in our relationship, as so much of it in the early days was spent apart. We had a few months of dates before February 2020, when I returned to Peru for a short trip—just before the pandemic-that-shall-not-be-named locked us apart for over a year.
The timing couldn’t have been more challenging. Borders closed while my then-boyfriend was at sea, and I was in Québec. While many relationships struggled or ended during the pandemic, ours only grew stronger. It gave us the rare gift of time to truly get to know each other. We talked endlessly, and found creative ways to keep the spark alive. FaceTime calls became our dinner dates, flowers and thoughtful gestures crossed borders, and every small act became a testament to our commitment.
In 2021, we finally reunited. Later that year, I joined him in Paris, where he proposed at the Musée du Louvre.
(Spoiler: The commitment phobe that I was said YES!) 💍
A few days—and one too many sangrias—later, in Spain, the universe gave us the most unexpected and beautiful gift. Somewhere between la Sagrada Familia, topless afternoon on the beach and late-night tapas, we unknowingly began the next chapter of our story. It wasn’t until weeks later, back in Canada, when I started feeling “off,” that we realized we had brought home more than a ring and wedding plans from Europe—we were going to be parents. ( Sorry baby girl, we were only visiting Spain…Freezing Canada is where you will be born!)
The months that followed were a whirlwind. Nine months of pregnancy, the sale of my small condo, buying our first house (at distance for him!) and navigating life with my fiancé traveling at sea for weeks at a time. But despite the chaos, there was joy in building our family, and eventually, our baby girl made us three.
I believe that in life, we grow as individuals. In love, we continue that growth, but we also evolve together. That’s the beauty of it—understanding that the person you loved yesterday is someone to be rediscovered and loved again today.
I’ve always believed in love and beautiful stories, but I also thought our lifestyle was too unconventional, too unpredictable, to dive into this experience. What I didn’t realize was that we could make our own rules—define what love, family, and life look like for us.
Our first family trip? A new adventure with a 7-month-old baby to Peru and Chile. It was nothing like our usual wild and free travel style, but it was a beautiful reminder that children don’t end our adventures—they become part of the greatest one.
Now, we’re an eclectic, multicultural family navigating life, love, and parenting across borders.
This is my creative space—a place where I share snippets of our reality: the joys and challenges, the ups and downs, and how we find connection and adventure in it all.
Whether here in daily life, where routine meets non-traditional careers, wherever we choose to go, or everywhere in between—because home is us.
