Our Founder’s Vulnerable Hope with Meliai
by Marie Vanderpool
To truly set the scene for this blog post, I recommend listening to “Down Bad” by Taylor Swift simultaneously. (Yes, I’m a Swiftie)
Hey there! I'm Marie Vanderpool, the brains behind Meliai Adventures. I want to dive deep into the 'why' behind this venture, so let me paint you a vivid picture of what brought me to this point.
Back in 2018, I made a bold move - I waved goodbye to my corporate gig and traded in my tiny cubicle for something much more liberating: a 2017 ProMaster 2500 camper van. Yep, I was living the van life while running my adventure elopement business right from its cozy confines. Picture this: whisking my clients away into the wilderness, where they'd exchange vows amidst towering peaks, rugged cliffs, or the endless expanse of the Pacific. It was a dream turned reality.
But then, my dream took an unexpected turn towards what felt like a nightmare. Shortly after deciding to part ways with my husband - who, by the way, shared that van life with me along with our pug - things got rough. I won't delve too deep into the reasons behind our divorce; it's a journey we both navigated, and I respect his privacy in that.
Fast forward a bit, and I found myself crossing paths with someone new. This person brought a whole cosmic perspective into my life just by being in it. Yet, despite the depth of our connection, they vanished without a trace, leaving me stranded without closure. It's a tough pill to swallow, but I've come to realize that their actions say more about them than about me. No punches thrown, just the plain truth.
Suddenly, I was hit with a tsunami of grief. I lost my husband, my furry companion, and what I thought was a love written in the stars. The heartache was unbearable, and it sent me spiraling into a dark abyss of mental anguish. Admitting how long I struggled might seem embarrassing, but it's a testament to the depth of my emotions and the size of my heart - overflowing with love that brought both joy and pain into my life.
In the midst of that overwhelming grief, manifested in screams muffled by pillows, tears soaking into the earth, and a constant weight in my chest, it was the earth and the adventures it offers that became my lifeline through the darkest depths of sorrow. I truly believe it was the deepest grief I'll ever know. When you've plumbed the abyss of despair, it's hard to fathom cracking open in the same way again. Yet, here I am, proof that you can survive even the most excruciating emotional agony.
My aim with the retreats Meliai offers is simple yet profound: to create a space where you can explore whatever is calling to you in the present moment. Are you grappling with grief? Let the earth cradle you. Is adventure beckoning from the unknown? Let the earth be your playground. Are you seeking to connect with your innermost self? Let the earth reflect back to you the qualities you wish to cultivate within. In my eyes, this planet we call home is the most miraculous phenomenon, second only to life itself.
Consider this: the odds of a planet like Earth existing, capable of sustaining life, paired with the likelihood of you being born - it's staggering. Your very existence, and everything you experience on this earth, including heartbreak, is nothing short of miraculous. I urge you to embrace it all, and if my words resonate with you, I invite you to join us at one of our retreats. If you're not quite ready, that's okay too - reach out to me personally. I want to hear your story, to understand what has shaped you into the incredible person you are today.
