I won’t bore you with all I’d love to say… but I feel the need to jot a few things down for - I hope - our collective reflection and also for posterity’s sake.

Last month I turned 50.

As I neared the milestone, I wondered how I was actually feeling about it and also how I might feel when ‘the clock struck 12.’ 😉

What has been surprising - and beautiful - is my absolute delight in this new age + era.

Some backstory:

-1- At a birthday lunch for my 49th, my friend Jill told me of a project her friend had done: 50 things for 50 birthdays (not actually sure what she called it 🤔)… I was intrigued. So began, not only my own list of ‘50for50’ but - also - my leaning into saying ‘yes’ to things I would normally not have considered and/or may have actively avoided! (ahem… #cliffjumping 😬)

-2- In mid-December I turned exactly the ‘number of days old’ as Mom was the DAY she was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer in Feb 1995. This date had weighed on me... for months. The geneticist we met with, way back in 1997, said Mom was the ‘unlucky 1 in 10’ (now 1 in 8 🥺), but it’s still hard not to think ‘Lor, you might be unlucky too.’ While that is still true, and true for too many… I skated through December with zero issues and - blissfully - felt alleviated of the (mostly) subconscious worry I’d been carrying.

-3- During this same period I’d been thinking: I’ve done self portraits for past birthdays but - THIS YEAR and for my FIFTIETH💃🏻 - I’d really love to treat myself to a portrait session wherein I’m NOT in charge of the lights! 😂 I found a kindred spirit in Alexis McKeown and the stage was set.

-4- In late winter this year one of my dearest friends - during a casual phone chat - shared with me a logistical conundrum she was facing and, after we hung up, I thought ‘I can help with that!’ (shout out to my amazing husband who supported me in supporting my friend AND to he and the kids for holding down the fort while I set forth on my adventure!)

Which all culminates in the following…

✅ I’ve been leaning WAAAYYY in - all year - to lots of firsts;
✅ I survived the December date that felt so, sooo heavy;
✅ I had a portrait session with the beautiful Alexis that I’ll forever cherish;
✅ and I drove a car solo from Vancouver, BC to Boulder, CO; visiting places + people I love along the way…

If THIS is FIFTY: I’m here for it! 💃🏻

Gotta quote Oprah here…

This is what I know for sure:

✨there are no guarantees… seize the day, do the scary thing, enjoy LIFE
✨when an opportunity presents itself: grab hold + lean in
✨animals. ANIMALS. #ftw They are surely life’s greatest tonic 🙏🏼
✨friends who cross your path, seemingly out of nowhere, and then STAY… well ➡️ treasure them, support them, love them, and let them love you
✨every woman deserves a portrait she loves

oh, and:

✨life is beautiful. 🤩

xo Lori