Gardening is a huge passion of mine. I can’t think of a more peaceful, serene way to spend “me time” than feeling the soil in my hands while savoring the sweet scent of roses and lilies. When I’m in the garden, I reflect on life and all its blessings. I vividly recall one warm summer evening in 2011 that forever changed my vision for Soles of Love.

The evening was perfect. As I tended to my flowers, the sounds of the local church bells filled the air. I look forward to these hymns at dusk because it reminds me that I am connected to something, someone much greater than me. It’s been said that “love began in a garden” and I was very much aware of it that night. I wished I could capture that moment forever and share that feeling with the many people I care about.

My thoughts drifted to a conversation I’d recently had with a colleague who works for a local nonprofit. She shared her concerns for the growing number of local families who could not afford shoes for their children.

Two seemingly unconnected thoughts came together: wanting my friends to feel the love in my gardens and wishing that all children could know the excitement of a new pair of shoes when school starts. I was inspired.