Of all the things I love about the change of seasons, the flowers of spring are likely my favourite. Looking at the translucent petals of the azaleas in my garden this year was a rush of happiness and adulthood (I own a frikkin’ garden); and promise.

If you read over my post on turning 30 a few months ago, you’ll know the trepidation I went through to cross the decade divide, the feelings of concern and loss and an almost-mourning. Tonight though, I looked up for the first time in months at my life, and not only can I say I survived the hurdle of entering my fourth decade on this earth, but I managed to sail into it too.

You see, tonight I came home to an album of Jacarandas in bloom. And the world is right. I asked for the photos, to put on this blog, to draw in readers, but these photos really mean so much more thinking about it and they link to what’s happening in my life right now.

So let me introduce Alessio (you can stalk him on Instagram and Twitter), the kind and soft-hearted guy who stood in 34 degree heat today in Pretoria to take photos of Jacaranda trees because I mentioned it would be nice to put some up here for you to see. It wasn’t the intention to throw all these feelings into a post about trees, but nature has a way of doing that to me.

After a tough few months of work and not knowing what my direction is, it’s been an incredible relief to have somebody who is creative, inspiring and supportive around me. I haven’t laughed this much or been as relaxed in a very long time, and that can only be a good thing right?

The reason I also feel it’s important for me to sort of ‘introduce’ Alessio really is because I expect he may be making a few appearances in my posts in future, because like me, he loves exploring and doing new things all the time.

To you A, thanks for making me laugh and letting me be me despite the nonsense I can talk sometimes. I can’t wait to create something awesome with you x Oh, and thanks for the flowers.