In late 2020, there was a fire in the woods that brought us together. It was fall and we were celebrating the equinox with friends. We connected that night and set up a hike for later in the week with our kiddos, which gave us a chance to really notice one another. The fire and the woods brought us together and we started to text a lot, slowly connecting as we could, considering the distance we had to create during the pandemic.

Texting became flirting and Carlie – always the bravest – asked Tera out on a real date. She rolled up to Tera’s house in her Camry to pick her up and take her on a surprise adventure. We were both so nervous, knowing that our lives were about to change. The energy was electric and metamorphosis was beginning.

We quickly realized that we shared a love for so many things: dancing, art, wild flowers, creating epic adventures, community, and so much more. We have traveled the woods together through the UP, Hocking Hills, New Orleans, Kentucky, Miami, California, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. We have backpacked, tent camped, and pulled up in our camper with the boys. Fires have been built on the beach, started from collected wood next to the Manistee River, and lit by the boys in our backyard. We have stared at the stars at the top of a mountain and watched the fireflies blink brilliantly over the bank in Ashtabula.

Together we have built our careers: leading efforts that grow children into lovers of nature, community organizations into stronger engagers that support our neighbors. We have taken on home projects and Burn build outs that neither of us could do alone, but as a pair we have learned that we can build anything. Carlie has the intention and focus to slow down and get things right, while Tera has the audacity to dream big and take risks. Together, our combo can lead us to creating some phenomenal experiences.

Our connection triggered a spiral shift that neither of us saw coming. We’ve built security in our relationship that has allowed us to wade through the discomfort (goo!) that all metamorphosis inevitably brings and work together to build an authentic life that empowers us to be continue to grow and chase our dreams.

Together we have been courageous and intentional about how we shape our lives, heal, blend our families, and manage crises. We have built our community together, swapped our shells, and wore lots of tie dye. We have raised boys, monarch butterflies, bunnies, friendships, and of course Sneakers. And best of all we have come to terms with the fact that the spiraling chaos of life never ends and the only thing we can ever truly count on is the healing we have done and the partnership we have. Imago (the last stage of metamorphosis) is the contentment we have built in the chaos.

We have moved out of shells – wearing them only occasionally for a photo shoot – and our home has become each other.

We couldn’t think of any better way to celebrate our brilliant love than bringing all of our favorite people together in the woods to celebrate with the strength of community, fire, metamorphosis, and the ever changing sky we are always looking to for peace and inspiration.