You might say that you are capable of getting along with yourself for a while; that you don't need anyone. That might be true for you. For now.

But don't we all strive on connections? 

I often thought I couldn't find new friends after the age of 30. Well, that can be further from the truth. Even my mother, who's turning 79 this year, has made new friends. Pure love have no age, no color, no race, no nothing in between. The only barrier friendship has is yourself, for not believing it can happen, for not reaching out to others.

I recently met amazing people on the set of our (my !) first photoshoot. Amazing connections were created in a beautiful vineyard during a pretty grey day of July. That day will be marked in my mind for the rest of my life, not only because I was ecstatic about finally letting my creative side come out but mostly about how life made mysterious things happen.

Our friend Judith (we love you so much !) came in the barn where we were shooting, crying. My first and basic reaction was to find out why she was feeling like that. There must be a solution to her crying. But Judith was crying out of... joy. The joy of meeting a beautiful soul, a new friend. 

Because Judith met a friend that day.

I wish I was part of that car ride between Montreal and St-Armand where Judith met Gabrielle. But I am also glad I wasn't. Connections are born out of sharing.  Judith met Gabrielle and it was the kind of friendship that could compare to love at first sight. It organically came to life without barriers. The first meaning of love, after all, is an intense feeling of deep affection. 

I was recently looking for an organization, in a way to give back to the community. I reached out to Gabrielle if she knew about an organization I could support. She suggested Interligne, a hotline that supports the LGBTQ+ community. And then came a huge slap in the face, a positive yet harsh slap; the past joining the present in a powerful dance.

Interligne had a different name when I was 15 years old. I had called Gai-Écoute 2 times when I felt misunderstood or mistreated. But one winter night, I called again. This time, I was in a really bad place and was about to end it all. I can't remember the name of the individual on the phone. But he was there for me, he never hung up on me. He listened to my willingness to die to stop the pain I was going through. The pain of being different is real, oh so real. 

Don't get fooled by thinking things are easier now. They are not. Yet, my life got much easier with the years go by. But when I was helpless and had no one to call, I still had Interligne to call. This is WHY we need Interligne alive. We need this type of support to support the next generations. 

I wasn't in the car that day with Judith and Gabrielle but I certainly felt the effect of that friendship irradiate through me. Judith reminded me how emotions should truly be lived and Gabrielle reminded me about what my mission is.

Love, always.

M.