This carousel is a pretty accurate reflection of motherhood for me. My life’s most beautiful moments intertwined with the hardest ones.
As many of you know, shortly after Oliver turned two, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Pediatric oncology diagnosed him with an “inoperable” optic pathway glioma, and the only treatment option presented was 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.
Had that been the path forward, he would have only finished treatment in March of this year.
Instead, I shared his story here. Families who had walked this road before reached out — ultimately connecting me with the neurosurgeon who changed the course of Oliver’s life.
After a 12-hour craniotomy and now over a year of clear scans, there is hope that he is fully cured.
While motherhood has been the most beautiful chapter of my life, it has also been the most humbling.
His diagnosis changed the way I look at time.
At motherhood.
At what actually matters.
Spending this year abroad with Oliver is, in many ways, my way of saying yes now instead of someday.
This Mother’s Day, I’ve felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Grateful for the strength I found in the hardest season of my life.
Grateful that even through fear and uncertainty, I never stopped choosing joy and adventure for him.
And most of all, grateful that after everything we’ve been through, I still get to hold his hand through all of it.
Happy Mother’s Day to every woman carrying both the beauty and the heaviness of loving someone so deeply.
And to those missing their mothers, their children, or the version of life they thought they’d have today… I’m sending so much love to you too. 🤍
I neeeed this dress thingy. I’m going to Beijing in August. Thanks!
I would just like to say, I bought from the Encircled company (I asked for them as a gift more specifically). I was so excited to get my hands on some stylish travel gear. I was quickly disappointed. I bought a pair of the reversible leggings and one of their shirts. After just one use, the $98 pair of leggings had holes all along the stitching. The company refused to refund me or replace them and only offered store credit, despite these being a birthday gift, and insisted that I pay to send the leggings back as well. I am so disappointed about my now ripped leggings in addition to the customer service I received.
So beware the quality and the customer service if you decide to buy from this company.
Hi Devyn,
As you are well aware, you have posted this same comment on 5+ travel blog reviews (as of tonight).
We responded to your customer service inquiry via email this evening, and processed a FULL refund to original purchaser of the leggings AND let you keep the leggings, despite the fact that the leggings were 50% off ($50 purchase price), final sale/discontinued/no returns and purchased over 3 months ago.
Our customers are extremely important to us, as is our quality, and we do our best to work with customers for a peaceful resolution.
We have worked incredibly hard for our reputation online, and build a brand based on repeat customers, and using the finest ethically-sourced and sustainable materials. However, like any product, there is always the one-off chance of a missed stitch or defective fabric. It is rare, but it does occur.
I quit my job in November to pursue my dream of building an ethically made, versatile travel clothing business. I work every day, every weekend, and go above and beyond for our customers. At the end of the day, myself, and my team realize that not every customer is satisfiable.
We have done our best to resolve this issue and ask that you please stop posting negative and inaccurate comments on blog posts without reason.
If you have further questions about the issue, I ask that you contact us via email by clicking on my name above.
Best,
Kristi
Founder, Encircled
I had the same thing happen with my leggings from Encircled! While I’m glad it wasn’t just me, I’m sorry that you had it happen too.
Hi Mallory,
Sorry to hear about this! Please send us an email + we will help you out.
Kristi