When I became a mother,  I also became a stranger — a new me in a completely new part of town in an unfamiliar country. Yet somewhere in that disorienting mix of exhaustion and wonder, something shifted. There was a kind of spiritual, miraculous energy that pushed me to rebuild from scratch — to find my people, my rhythm, and a sense of belonging. I had no family nearby, no mom friends to text at 2 a.m., and no established support system. It didn’t take long to realize that, for my own wellbeing and sanity, I needed to build a community — to find my people, my network, and a sense of belonging, one that would support both me and the version of myself I was becoming.

As a young family based in Langford, BC, we’re always on the lookout for easy, fun, and family-friendly escapes that don’t require hours in the car or on planes. Recently, we spent a few nights exploring Cowichan Bay, Ladysmith, and Salt Spring Island — and it turned out to be the perfect little adventure for all of us.