We are Home : Shuswap - Salmon Arm, BC
“That's the dream…”
That has been the most common response when we tell people about our plans
for relocating to our new property in…
SALMON ARM, BC
They say it as though it is unfathomable to them. To actually pursue and LIVE your IDEAL LIFE
I find it unfathomable to live a life you don’t love or enjoy. That is existing, not living.
Dreams are merely Goals without Action.
And believe me when I say that we have been putting in the work and taking action at every step and turn.
For years now, Chad and I have been dreaming and considering options of where we would like to land post kids.
While I was born and raised here in the Lower Mainland of BC, I never felt overly attached. I love the landscape and backdrop but could do without all the hustle and bustle. Chad, on the other hand, grew up in small towns ranging from Saskatchewan and Alberta before finally landing in the Fraser Valley.
We both knew we wanted to stay in BC (for now, at least) and we were considering the various communities all around BC. My dad is in Penticton, my mom is in 100 Mile House, I have a sister in Kamloops, as well I have friends all over the province - so we felt we had a large range to consider and easily explore.
A while back, my children’s father relocated to North Okanagan with my oldest son and the end of this summer saw my middle son join them. Being nearly 5 hours away with a large mountain range between us meant I wasn’t seeing my boys all that often. I won’t sugar coat it, it sucks.
However, this meant we could move up our 10 year plan of relocating and work on expediting it!
It also helped us to narrow down which general area we would be looking into : Okanagan + Shuswap Area
Then, there was last February, the month I lost my long time and dearest friend, Nicole to suicide. I never did get around to posting anything on here about it. I intended to, I should have, but I didn’t. 2021 sucked for me. It was the kind of year where, if it could go wrong, it did. However, I choose to try and focus on the silver linings. I knew they were there, I just had to be open to receive them.
It wasn’t until late August when we could finally have a memorial service for Nicole. Even then, it nearly didn’t happen because of the massive, violent forest fires in our province at that time. The memorial was held at her brother and sister in-laws property in Mara, BC. Little Green Ranch, the very same spot where Nicole married, the love of her life, Montana back in June 2006 (which I was honoured to photograph - ALL ON FILM at that time haha)
That Saturday morning before the memorial, Chad and I decided to drive into the nearby city of Salmon Arm to check out the local farmers / artisan market we were told was there. As we reached the crest of the hill that takes you down into the core of Salmon Arm, my mouth went slack and my eyes grew wide. The view of the bountiful and beautiful Shuswap lake nestled at the base of the lush green mountains down in the valley captivated me. The surrounding land speckled with homes and businesses, none of which felt juxtaposed.
I remember muttering to Chad, “what is this beautiful place and why have I never been here before?!”
As we walked hand-in-hand around the downtown, heritage core, admiring the colours, buildings, business and people surrounding us, we simply smiled at each other and both said “This is home".
I believe with all my heart, that this was gift from my friend, Nicole. She brought us home.
It hasn’t been an easy road to get here. There have been so many bumps and derailments along the way, but we persevered and buckled down hard and can finally say… it was worth all the bullshit to get here!
So, here I am, living MY DREAM!
With all that being said, this is my official announcement that:
the MAPLE RIDGE STUDIO is officially CLOSED!
It will be bitter sweet as we wrap up the remaining sessions on the calendar over the next 2 months.
But we WILL be reopening a new studio location in SALMON ARM, BC this Autumn.
Not only is the space bigger than our current studio, it has epic outdoor spaces too! As well, as a suite above that you will be able to book and STAY with us as part of your experience.
(Or you can stay at one of the local hotels only minutes away should you choose!)
Only a 5 min drive to downtown, the public beach and so much epic landscape at your doorstep to explore!
I invite you to visit me at ENDY HAVEN - My N.D. (neurodivergent) Haven.
Big shout out to all the amazing humans that helped make this possible.
Maple Ridge Realtor : Michelle Exner
North OK Realtor : Lyle Doucette
Mortgage Broker : Jessie Lavoie
Notary : Cassandra Cooling
