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I've already mentioned how my friends went out on a campaign to help me out when my life fell apart... But instead of sorrow and loss, now I am going to tell you only about good and wonderful things.

LadyBohemia is opening a worldwide webshop any day now. It's true, it's happening.

My friends Oona Kassila, Bhakti Kulmala and Minna Kulmala have done an enormous labor of love for me - I find no words to thank them.

But I'll give you a little preview of the beauty coming up - all photos by the incredibly talented Minna Kulmala.

A turquoise / white tunic top

Italian lace blouse plus snakepattern pants...

Golden shimmery evening dress...

A bohemian goddess dream dress...

And so much more. It's so good for me to dive into this work that I love. I truly need something to focus on and thanks to my darling friends, I've got it.

So very soon, a very big part of LadyBohemia's collection is going to be available worldwide - we deliver everywhere.

The site is not live yet, but as soon as it is, I'll let you know <3.

Sending hugs, LadyBohemia

 

My friends arranged an event at LadyBohemia. To invite everybody who had loved Kalle and me, to celebrate his endless joy of life. Also, to help me keep going with this labor of love of mine LadyBohemia, at a moment when I am not able to, but have to, keep on working. They did it all, arranged everything, invited people, told everybody it wasn't even sure I would be able to show up. But they were prepared to handle all. Serafiina Sainio, Annika di Chiara, Bhakti Kulmala, my mother, Ria for photographing.... Pike Holmström. Kira Lahdenperä for the flowers, for keeping the shop open when I was, let's say, not presentable for any client. I will never forget what you have done for me. Not one smile, not one shared tear. In my deepest hour of need, I truly was not alone. [caption id="attachment_15826" align="aligncenter" width="864"] Serafiina Sainio and Bhakti Kulmala <3[/caption] We had the best of evenings, ever. In the invitation I'd promised you can all laugh, you can cry, all rules are out the window at this point. So, so many people came, bringing their loving messages and kind words for Kalle and their best wishes for my future without him. I am touched beyond words.   Tragedy often brings out the best, absolutely most beautiful qualities in people. Unfortunately also in reverse. But this evening was about the goodness, the kindness, the compassion of human spirit. Even total strangers came, they had heard about my loss and just wanted to help any way they could. I have no words, really. [caption id="attachment_15830" align="aligncenter" width="864"] Pike Holmström & Annika di Chiara[/caption] For example, a doctor I'd never met came by saying should I or my children ever need help or crisis therapy, she would take us in anytime, without charge. She left me her email. Then she bought something to support our livelihood, and after a couple of hours came back with her business card, with her personal phone number. I could call anytime. My little but very dear friend Kris, the age of my children, came to give me a hug and tell me just how sorry he was for my loss. So many encounters, so much love. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.  

Kalle and I were going to get married.

That was clear from the word go.  Only after our first phone conversation, lasting almost 5 hours , I thought to myself - you're in so deep now girl. This is THE man. This really is it.

He proposed  for the first time to me so soon I don't even remember.

We wanted to give my children time to get to peacefully know him. So after some half a year I told them this was the man I was going to marry some day. BUT  I told them this was up to their schedule entirely. Kalle and I had decades of time, no rush.

Little did I know.

But in any case, it was decided I would only marry him or we would move in with him when the boys felt completely comfortable with him.

I asked them to take their time and think about it, ask any questions that should come to their minds.

First my oldest, Joel, said he wanted to have a private talk with me. He said he felt it was the right thing for us to marry Kalle as he loved us all so much and he was so incredibly kind always - but under one condition - I'd keep the same last name as the boys. I promised him.

Then my little one wanted to have a conversation. He wanted us to live with Kalle first, then the marriage after. I respected his wish - and felt it was very wise for his age. After the boys' blessings, Kalle bought us a home to live in together.

Then my Luca said a thing that resonated so deeply with my heart. 

'Maman, we really should marry Kalle. Nobody has ever loved us as much as he does.'

I love that he used the word 'we' should marry him <3.

After a couple of days, my older, Joel, had clearly thought about it. He put his arms around me and said 'You know Maman, I think nobody in this world is able to love as much as Kalle does.' 

I didn't have the time to tell Kalle these words. He would so have loved to know this. 

Faith didn't give us the time.

So at his funeral, I told these messages of the children to his coffin.

In the end  it doesn't matter all that much whether he got the 'blessings' of my children before or after his death. I think he knows. 

Whatever it is, we belonged to each other.

At least that one thing nobody can take away from me.

 

 

 

You always said you'd do everything for me that a small man only could. I always answered that you are the greatest man I have ever known.

Kalle Savén I love you forever.

Life surprised me with wondrous ways just a few weeks back. First, a client whom I'd only met some 4 times came to LadyBohemia telling me she'd hurt her leg - and she had just booked an all expenses paid trip to Paris. Asking me if I'd like to go in her place.

A gift out of nowhere, a miracle at the very moment when I was so, so tired… And for the first time since forever, I just took off and let go of everything.

Aimless, mapless and free, I wondered around the beautiful streets, taking the sunshine, the elegance, the buildings, little alleys, bridges, doors, those cafés, those smiles into my soul.

Then suddenly I realized I stood in a place I recognized from 25 years back. From a day I was proposed to for the first time.

I had said yes.

I climbed to sit on the fence where I’d sat on that day, remained there for a long time, heart overflown with gratitude over that first love, those six years we’d had together.

And the miracles don’t stop there, they keep growing. I posted a photo of this fence and… My phone beeped a message.

It was him. The message is private but I can tell you I cried, tears of happiness. He'd spotted the photo and just wanted to make sure I knew…

And after 25 years, all I needed to answer was ’I’ve always known’.

Don’t get me wrong, this was not about rekindling a romance, no.

Just a crystalised moment on what life and love are all about

~*~