This is the beach where my husband proposed to me so many years ago. It’s our beach, where we were married and have shared countless family memories. Every dinner for the first few years of our son’s life was, both literally and figuratively, a picnic on this very sand. Greyson was surprised when he learned that some people actually ate dinner at a table. So many walks with my mom as she struggled with Alzheimer’s found solace and connection here. In short, this place is my paradise.
A sunrise walk. A light wind with gently lapping waves. The whitest sand and the bluest sky. Despite the perfection and natural beauty, I found myself feeling lost and discouraged. I have a feeling you’ve been in this same place before—where what looks flawless on Instagram doesn’t quite match the happiness you’d hoped for.
My happiness had been drained by a painful emotional disconnect with someone I love very much—a chasm marked by silent resistance and conscious withdrawal. I’d been written out of vital life milestones for months, and my heart was breaking. My morning was mired in melancholy and despondency.
Then, a wink of energy washed over me as I passed two older women settling into their beach chairs. Bright oversized sunglasses, a bold umbrella, laughter, and animated conversation. Normally, that energy would draw me in to stop and chat, but I was hurting and offered only a polite ‘morning’ as I passed.
Yet their energy lingered like a shadow, gently nudging at my awareness. Eventually, I couldn’t resist and turned back. I slowed to a stroll. I can’t remember what was said to open the door, but Gail quickly walked through and began to fill in the blanks. Conversation flowed effortlessly, and soon we were floating together in the beautiful blue water, sharing a depth of conversation that often eludes even our closest friendships.
Gail reminded me that I can witness another’s anger or sadness with compassion—but I don’t have to carry it. Empathy doesn’t have to mean absorption. She reminded me that even in the darkest times, there is light. She told me that black Onyx, though dark, often has streaks of white that refract the light and glow brightly with just a hint of illumination.
That’s what Gail was for me that day: the gentle illumination that helped lift the darkness that had settled over me. She offered a calm connection between souls, a reminder that this sense of quiet support is always there—if we’re open to it.
That’s the feeling we hope you find in Faceplant. Our collection is consciously designed to be a gentle reminder that comfort, softness, and a sense of ease are always within reach. Our luxurious fabrics hold space for your heart, inviting you to feel at peace and connected to yourself and those you love. If you’re looking to wrap yourself or someone you love in that same sense of peace, we invite you to explore our collection:
Shop the Faceplant Dreams Collection for loungewear and sleepwear made to soothe the soul.
My friend Gail is a beautiful soul who connects graciously with people and the world. She owns Oak Bay Naturals Crystals and Rock shop in Port Hadlock, WA. Need more illumination and crystals in your life? Find her at: https://www.facebook.com/gail.armstrongstudeman.
