Our FIERCE Over 40 Sessions have really introduced us to a wide variety of amazing women in our area. This week, we'll meet 54 year old, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Christine. She is owner of Horses & Healing, LLC in Annville, PA.
START BY TELLING ME WHO YOU ARE? WHERE ARE YOU FROM? GIVE ME A SHORT BIO OF YOU AND YOUR LIFE.
My family moved from from Long Island to Pennsylvania when I was young. The last of five children, there are 10 years between me and the sister before me. I spent countless hours outside growing up and my love of animals, gardening, and sunshine was cultivated during that time. Over time, my artistic streak has surfaced through photography, painting, decorating, graphic design, and flower arranging. I’ve been fortunate to dabble in many professional and artistic endeavors throughout my life, and it wasn’t until I hit 40 that I felt a desire to return to school for a Masters degree. No small feat as a single mom working full time! It was during those years that I met my husband, Mark, who has supported my love of horses and most of my quirky ideas. We purchased a property in 2014 which has grown into our small hobby farm. In 2018 I left my job in community mental health to open a successful private practice incorporating animal assisted therapy and nature. Today, I can say that I’ve continued to do what I love despite the changes the pandemic has made to my work. Mark and I enjoy entertaining family and our home has been the hub for many holidays. We both love to cook (and eat) good food! Together we share 3 amazing adult sons who make us both incredibly happy!
Looking back on my lived experience I can say that adversity has always been a learning experience for me; I never stopped working towards my dreams.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?
Feeling comfortable being authentic.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
I can’t put my finger on one single “greatest achievement”. Rather remaining open minded about possibilities.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE CHECKED OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
Living with horses
WHAT TRAIT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Creativity
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Not living life to the fullest
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would be a much more organized person.
WHEN, IN YOUR LIFE, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
I’ve felt most confident in the times when I was being true to myself
HAVE YOUR PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT BEING "ATTRACTIVE" MEANS CHANGED OVER TIME? WHAT DO YOU DEFINE AS ATTRACTIVE NOW?
Coming from a family of strong and resilient women I have always equated “attractive” with a woman’s sense of herself.
We loved meeting Christine and she has sent some amazing women our way to also participate in the FIERCE Over 40 (THANK YOU). If you're ready to get your FIERCE on, we'd love to have you join us in our Lemoyne studio!!