Birth of a dream

It was our first family trip to Vanuatu, just the five of us. Surrounded by the warm sun, the flowing ocean, and an opportunity to immerse ourselves in each other without the distractions of the busy world. We were on a mission to make radical changes, to reconnect, and to figure out how to nurture our family and partnership in a deeper way. Coconuts in hands and kayaks bobbing in the shallows, we were blissfully unaware of the monumental inner shifts we were requesting of ourselves. This trip shaped the future of our lives in a way we couldn’t have possibly imagined. 

As we settled into the slow rhythms of island life, something unexpected happened: we were plunged into our own respective darknesses, triggered and magnified by our reflections in each other. This took patience and active healing. At the same time, we fell in love. Not just with the natural beauty and abundance of Vanuatu, but with the essence of the country itself. The lifestyle we lived, the simple pleasures became profound moments. It was a Thursday evening beach fire, a short swim seeing a colourful fish and home-made bread, each event grounding us into a new reality. And, most of all, the incredible sense of community and support we felt from the people. There was a warmth, a kindness in the air that made us feel like we were a part of something bigger—like we had found a continuation of our tribe.

But what touched us most were the women. They were the backbone of the community, and their unwavering support for our aspirations as parents, striving to raise our children as valuable members of a tribe, was nothing short of inspiring. These women embodied resilience, wisdom, and a deep sense of connection, not just to one another but to the land and the community they nurtured.

Through deepening our relationships with these women—especially one in particular—we became aware of a need. We realized there was a huge gap when it came to menstruation products and period support for women in Vanuatu. I was using reusable pads, reusable undies and period cups as I pleased in a very carefree and appreciative way. And, she was having to buy toxic, expensive plastic disposable pads. We talked a lot while playing with the kids about how having access to different products would save trips walking into towns or on boats, would stop filling landfill with plastic and guarantee menstruation support no matter the weather. This revelation led to a dream. What if we could create something that not only provided women here with access to the essentials they needed, but also gave back to the local community in meaningful ways? Our Vanuatu sister was just as excited and inspired by the idea as we were, and together, we began to dream of a world where women could live with dignity, free from the limitations of inadequate access to menstrual care. Shaun and I continued this inspired dream state and talked about the exciting possibilities that could include what we were most inspired by - environmental considerations, family. 

At this point, after seven months in Vanuatu and a few precarious moments, we began to see the bigger picture. We hadn’t fully realized it yet, but the experiences we were living through were not so gently guiding us toward a new direction—a new path. We started to ask ourselves: How can we, as a family of five, live the Vanuatu lifestyle while contributing to the community? How can we create a product and a business that serves the people here and gives back to the healthcare system?

The course of our life pivoted dramatically and there were bumps along the way! One ‘bump’ that led to the understanding of a heart’s desire was finding ourselves rushing to the local hospital. It was a tough moment, but also one of clarity. We were fortunate that the hospital had the care needed, but it sparked something in us—a strong awareness that everyone, no matter where they are in the world, deserves access to good healthcare. It was a heart-tugging moment that provided the opportunity to know that we wanted to help create funds for local hospitals.

This new Lovelock family dream in Vanuatu of course, sparked a whole new wave of personal, practical, and societal questions that we had to work through. There was a lot of stuff that came up—fears, doubts, personal conditionings —but we were committed to figuring it out as a family. With incredible support, we slowly began to create a structure, a roadmap for how to make our dream come to life while staying true to the values we wanted to uphold as a family. True to who we each are as individuals within a family unit.

With help from local friends and mentors, our vision started to take shape. We embraced the idea of homeschooling our kids, making a home on the island, and setting up a social enterprise that would benefit the people of Vanuatu—and beyond. Each of these elements tied into our new understanding of a passion to create a life full of flow, community, and giving back.

And so, the dream of Flow Down Below was born.

We are the Lovelock Tribe, and we are beyond grateful to be on this incredible journey. We’ve experienced challenges, growth, and moments of sheer awe at how everything has unfolded. Our family has been transformed by this experience and adventure, and we’d relish the opportunity to co-create with you in whatever form that may be.

Thank you for connecting with us in this current flow. We can’t wait to share more of our journey with you, and we hope it inspires you to step into your own flow.

With oceans of gratitude,

Welcome to The Lovelock Tribe.