04/04/2026
a love letter to fiji…
now that we are home this all feels like a dream that is as far away from the reality of life as we know it. the white sand beaches and crystal clear water, the people who wear their hearts on their sleeve and greet you with a kindness that is palpable.
when i was a kid my parents took me to hawaii each winter, where we visited family and took time to, just be. we had the good fortune of staying where our cousin worked- a special place called kona village (now taken over by the rosewood collection and oh so fancy). this is where the concept “aloe designs” was born out of. a memory of my first mosquito bite and the healing nature of aloe vera. the power of plants and the lush landscape that defined our daily rhythm.
our trip to fiji took me back to these origins, the feeling of kona village, the cultural rituals, when hawaii felt more achievable and authentic. for the last few weeks i got to relive my childhood memory; experiencing it alongside my own kiddos. fijians are the definition of what community means. they are rich in life and full of joy- traits we undoubtedly want for our next generation.
when we return from vacation we all feel a sense of longing for what it was, the escape from our busy lives where days blend together. we miss the sensory experience. the white sand beaches, the crystal clear water, the morning tropical fruit bowl, the midday sun naps, the warmth on our skin, the early evening pool dips, the music, the 30 degree rain storms, the strangers we met, the slow down, the reset and the people who nurtured us and told us we are now family.
farewell paradise. you took care of us for a whopping 2.5 weeks. we are forever greatful for this privileged experience
