01/25/2026
Welcome to My Story
I’m not saying this to brag—just to inspire. You don’t have to pick only one path. Some of us have multiple talents, and the only way to discover them is to try. Follow what brings you joy (and hopefully pays the bills too, haha).
The first time I came to the United States, I was an exchange student in my second year of university. My destination was South Dakota—a place I knew very little about at the time, yet one that would quietly and permanently change the course of my life.
That first summer opened my heart. The kindness, warmth, and genuine hospitality of the people I met in South Dakota stayed with me long after I returned home. When I came back for a second summer, that feeling only deepened. Somewhere between the open skies, the simple conversations, and the generosity of strangers, I realized I wasn’t just visiting anymore—I was falling in love with a way of life.
I returned home and finished my university degree, trying to move forward as expected. At the time, I was living in Romania, though I am originally from the Republic of Moldova—a small country between Romania and Ukraine. Romanian is my first language, and Russian is my second. I applied for many jobs in Romania, searching for direction, but my heart kept pulling me back to the United States.
Eventually, I listened.
I applied for a student visa and was accepted to Park University in Parkville, where I pursued a master’s degree in Leadership, Communication, and Arts. My undergraduate degree was in journalism, and this next step felt like a natural continuation of my love for communication, storytelling, and connection.
Like many immigrants, my early years in the U.S. were filled with different jobs and constant adaptation. I learned resilience, patience, and humility through every role I took on. Yet, deep down, I knew these were not the places where my soul would settle.
That clarity came through photography.
I made the courageous decision to focus on photography full time, and for the next twelve years, it became my calling. I photographed over 150 weddings and countless families, seniors, maternity sessions, and life’s milestones. Photography allowed me to preserve emotion, tell stories without words, and witness love in its most honest forms.
Over time, my relationship with photography evolved. I slowly stepped back from wedding photography, now accepting those projects only through referrals—when someone I know and trust is getting married. Today, my focus is on family photography, seniors, and maternity sessions, especially during the fall when the energy feels aligned and the light feels magical.
In the midst of building a career, I became a mother.
My children were born here, and motherhood reshaped my world in ways I never imagined. As they grew and started school, a deep sense of gratitude settled in. They attend a Montessori private school, and the trust I have in their teachers is something I cherish deeply. Knowing my children are safe, supported, and truly seen allows my nervous system to rest. That trust gives me the space to grow, create, and serve without fear.
After a surgery and a period of intense physical pain, my life took another turn—one that would lead me inward. I reached out to my mentor, Angela Holmes, for a healing session over the phone. During that session, I asked her to channel any messages from my grandmother if she came through.
The message I received changed everything.
I was told that it was time to open my gift—that I was meant to heal people. The explanation resonated deeply, not just intellectually, but on a soul level. It explained things I had felt my entire life but never fully understood.
As I began to explore this calling, my intuitive senses slowly activated. Some come and go—like visual impressions that appear briefly in my mind—but I trust that with time, practice, and devotion, they will continue to strengthen. What is clear and constant is what I feel in my body.
I can sense trapped emotions, areas of the body that need attention, and organs that are asking for care and support. The body speaks in its own language, and I have learned how to listen.
This work feels natural to me, grounded, and deeply fulfilling.
Through this path, I found Reiki, energy healing, and a profound connection with gemstones. I discovered a love for festivals—places where people gather openly, curiously, and with their hearts exposed. I love the conversations, the hugs, the returning faces. Today, I have five shops, with plans to possibly open two more this year. What began as a calling has grown into a living community.
My life now is a balance of everything I love. I still do photography, especially in the fall when the weather cools. I heal people during the week, and during slower seasons, on weekends as well. Festivals remain one of my greatest joys.
Winter, however, is my season of rest.
It is a time to slow down, hibernate, reflect, and restore. And yet, even in rest, there is a quiet stirring—a gentle reminder that purpose doesn’t disappear in stillness. I honor the pause while staying open to what’s next.
Looking ahead, I hold a vision close to my heart. In the next two to three years, I plan to host monthly Zoom or Facebook Live healing sessions, offered freely to those who need support in that moment. I know this level of work requires growth, energetic strength, and balance. When the time is right, I will be ready.
I have the heart for this work.
I have the desire.
And I trust the timing.
From an exchange student in South Dakota to a mother, photographer, healer, and community builder, my journey has taught me that life unfolds not in straight lines, but through courage, trust, and listening when the soul speaks.
If you’re here, reading this, thank you for being part of my story.
Stay tuned—there is more healing, connection, and love to come. ❤️ 🙌 🌞
