Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to feel fulfilled—not just busy, but truly nourished. In a world that equates worth with output, I’ve felt pulled toward something deeper. I’m learning to honor life’s quieter rhythms too: moments of presence, connection, and pause. In those spaces, I’m discovering a more meaningful kind of success—one rooted in alignment, joy, and purpose.

This summer, I’ve been finding that joy in northern Michigan, where my 9-month-old daughter, Zylah, is surrounded by cousins, trees, and the gentle rhythm of lake life. Right now, she and her cousins—Everlee, Gigi, and Lennon—are splashing in the shallow waters of Byram Lake just behind her grandparents’ house—Charley’s childhood home and the lake he grew up loving. The girls range from 9 months to 6 years old. Their squeals and giggles floating through the window have become the soundtrack of our days.

Soon, Zylah will join our big family reunion on my side at Higgins Lake—another Michigan treasure full of cherished childhood memories. It’s where my parents and their siblings grew up, where my cousins and I spent our summers, and now, where the next generation is making their own memories. Her Michigan story is just beginning to bloom, and I’m grateful she’s rooted in such loving soil. Whether she’s dozing off to lullabies or swept into a cousin’s giggle-filled hug, Zylah is learning that she belongs, that she matters, and that she is safe. Watching her reminds me to slow down and take in what’s right in front of me.

This month’s feature, “The Authentic Lifestyle,” captures something I’m witnessing in real time: the lasting imprint early bonds can leave on the heart. As Sahara Rose Ketabi writes, “There is a version of you that is already whole and complete. She is just waiting for you to remember her.” My hope is that Zylah always stays close to that version of herself.

And for you, dear reader, I wish the same: a summer filled with moments that root you in joy, love, and the kind of belonging that stays with you wherever you go.

With heart,
Co-Publisher Alina