Week 37: Celebrating one year on the journey, together.

In late August 2024, we met with our founding families on the steps of the studio for our Opening Ceremony; sharing the story of the Hero's Journey and inviting each family, one by one, to cross the threshold into this unfamiliar and extraordinary world of Acton. It was a moment I had dreamed of and looked forward to with such hope...and a healthy dose of fear - the moment it all became real as we set off on this journey, together.

In the weeks and months that followed, as our community of courageous families grew, so too did the sense that we were truly on an adventure - one that would test our resolve and conviction to choose this unfamiliar path. Each one of us - parent, hero, and guide - had monsters and obstacles we encountered. Self-doubt, conflict (and conflict resolution!), resistance, comparison, developmental differences, studio maintenance!...no matter the monster, no matter how hard it knocked us down, each and every time our tribe made the heroic choice to get back up and persevere, together. Each one of us met wise guides and mentors on the journey - whether it was another studiomate, a fellow brave parent, or the heroes humbling the guides with their resilience, strength, and openness. Through it all was a sense of community, purpose, and deep belonging.

As our we gathered on Friday afternoon, our final day of the year, I looked around the studio - full with families and what's sure to be lifelong friends - and felt such an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude for Jeff and Laura Sandefer who had dreamt so boldly and then so selflessly shared their dream with the world. Gratitude for the families who trusted us, and more importantly, their children with this huge responsibility. And gratitude for the heroes, who humbled me constantly with the heroic character traits they exhibited day after day, all year long.

We shared, we cried, we ate cake, we celebrated. I will be reliving this day for many years to come.

The Hero's Journey concludes with the hero returning home to their familiar world, triumphant and transformed. Although this journey is not yet over, our first year is, and I know each one of us is returning home for the summer triumphant and transformed.

I'll leave you with a quote (my last of the year!) from one of my favourite books, The Secret Garden.

"At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done - then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago."

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Thank you for being with us, for your trust and courage, and for choosing this

"strange new thing".

Happy Summer Break, Heroes!!!