Lucky Stars

Photo taken by Anne Boulton

Meet my bff.  Her name is Melanie Hunt.  She is an artist. too.  She is a potter, a photographer and a chef. She is also a Mama to two handsome boys named Ethan and Andrew.  She is the president of the Sudbury Basin Potter's Guild and she sits on the board at Eat Local.  (She endures alot of meetings...she is WAY more patient than I am)  She doesn't have a link to an etsy shop or a blog, but if I could I would link you all to her beautiful heart.  We met almost five years ago, yet it feels like I have known her forever.  Our boys were both taking a tots art class at the Sudbury Art Gallery.  Seven months later we finally had a chance to meet for coffee. (that's a long story)  That day was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, a sisterhood,  kindred spirits.

She is the kind of person who will bake you muffins from scratch, the kind with real fruit in them that make your mouth just burst with life.  She's the kind of person who brings you lunch in a pretty basket filled with homemade goodies like yummy calzones and fruit drinks all made by her hand.  She's the kind of person who listens on the phone while you go on your latest rant, she accepts you for who you are... flaws and all.  She is my calm during the storms and has been by my side as I travelled through the darkest days and nights all the while accepting me, and loving me unconditionally.

I wanted to share her with you to let you know that nobody gets anywhere alone.  Melanie has helped me through the opening and closing of mimi and lulu and all of its lessons.  She is the one who came up with the name for this business:  her painted word, all the while making dinner and mothering her two boys.  I called her in a panic with all of my drama...  : "I need a better name for my etsy shop.  Le petit studio just doesn't feel right.  Any ideas"?  Within two minutes as she was stirring something on the stove she had uttered the three most perfect words:  "her painted word".  I LOVE IT! I responded.  It's pretty, feminine AND poetic.  It encompasses my love of colour and words.  It's PERFECT!!!  How do you do that?  I asked.  And just like that Melanie saved the day.  She does that. often.

She is my lighthouse and I adore her.  SO, today I want to honour my friend Melanie Hunt who has been by my side as I've navigated through my identities as a business owner, professor, wife, mother and artist.

Thank-you for putting up with me.  Thank-you for entertaining my wild ideas, my long list of goals and my mania and drama.  Thank-you for always supporting me and for putting it all into perspective.  If you haven't guessed by now I am crazy about you and I know I am not the only one.

I know it's a bittersweet time for you as you get your youngest lad ready to start school.  But I just know that SO MANY AMAZING things await you as you step into a new day.  All the light and love you have shone onto others will light your path along your journey.  And I will be right by your side cheering you on.

I love you dear girl.  always and forever. and then some.

We are heading to Huntsville for a girls day of antiquing and art shop(ping) tomorrow. 

Just the two of us.  No kids, no husbands, nobody.  

We are due for some alone time without interruption.

I feel so blessed.  

Everybody should be so lucky to have a Melanie Hunt in their lives. 

I'm counting my lucky stars.  

I really am.