When I began creating the hearts for my newest collection, I wanted to honor them in a special way. I thought about what they represent, and wanted a name that did them justice. I think freelove wraps it up perfectly ...
My freelove collection represents hearts and love of all kinds. This may be love for others, or love for ourselves. It may be love of a passion or a heart full of love for a pet. It just might be a broken heart that comes only when we have loved freely.
Freelove Chevolette Enicks was my great grandmother who was born in 1870. (Yes! Freelove was her given name.) Growing up, I didn’t hear many stories about her. But the one story my dad would tell, was that his grandmother would correct anyone who mispronounced her name. “It’s not free-love, it’s fre-love!” By this point, my dad would have a smile on his face and I could see the love in his eyes for his grandmother. Needless to say, Freelove and her name have always had a special place in my heart.
Freelove’s name must have seemed quite scandalous for a woman in that era. So I can understand why she may have down-played the free-love part of her name. But I adore the free-love pronunciation. And I love that on that day in 1870, Freelove’s parents had the inspiration to give her that loving name. Even though I never met Freelove, based on the look on my father’s face, I could see that he, and my grandmother, felt loved by her. And through them, I feel that love too.
I do believe love should be given, and received, freely. Through my freelove collection, I want to share some of this love. I hope the hearts bring to mind thoughts and feelings of love you have experienced in your own life. Love for yourself, love for others, or love for a place or time … and even love that breaks your heart. Because sometimes, a broken heart means we have truly loved.