The story of us.
The Story of Luna & The Lodge
All-in, it was 3,723 days. Kinda unbelievable to ‘measure’ the time spent with this love of my life –while my ignorance never knew any level of temporary about it. I had no business getting her 10 years ago at 23 but every need for the support she’d bring me the minute I brought her home. When I did first find her, I was going through very deep mental challenges and a swell of psychological sadness. She helped me locate the unwavering part of myself that I didn’t know existed, rescued me from my loneliness + the harshest realities of early adulthood. It was all when my life had changed so radically, I didn’t know if we’d make it. Through 9 homes, 5 cars, 2 businesses, 1 career of a lifetime—with barely a few dollars left in our pocket. She went with me through every phase, with zero complaint.
Luna and I found each other by result of my now life partner Nik. At the time, Nik and I were not together and only knowing each other in our career industries. I was looking for a simple canine companion and, if I had never met Nik, I honestly do not believe that I would have found her. A complete enigma with a heart on four legs, she was the ‘goodest’ girl. We ran so many miles together, she was my artistic muse, our protector and perfect reflection of everything I could have wanted alongside us.
After some time, all three of us bound and Nik, Luna and I spent the rest of many happy years well lived. To this day, I honestly believe Luna to have been the glue that not only braided our lives together but was also a part of the needle that pointed us north to our future life and home.
It was our dream that the lodge you see today, represents processing hardships, starting over and finding peace. While this home began as a simple ‘temple for healing’ it now stands finished atop 15 acres as a sanctuary for those in need of comfort and escape. Named after our Luna, this project embodies her stoic memory and Nik’s father Phil’s vision of a place to become well and live free. Regrettably, this project first became possible out of something we wish would have never happened. The lodge was Phil’s former home that he built to help him start over and, after he had passed on, the home was left in a nearly irredeemable state… leaving much work to be done for this legacy to continue. Nik and I decided that this property on Hearn Road would one day grow to become our own family homestead—the same as Nik’s grandparents and father before him. We would ensure that the land would remain out of the hands of over-development and continue under the protection of the Sherman family lineage—just like it has since the 1940s.
Only two months after we began to fix dad’s house it became unthinkably clear that Luna would not make it to our Maine homestead with us. Her unexpected cancer left behind the deepest cavity but with the help of an amazing veterinary team, we were blessed with six more beautiful yet agonizing months with her… forcing us to pivot and extend the home repair process far longer than intended. When her time did arrive, we were there for her despite having those final moments locked in our minds forever. We did the brave yet agonizing act of finally putting what it took to really end her cancer first. I was there to aid her through the process with dignity and put on her pearl necklace— ensuring she greeted her afterlife with more grace than possible for any animal. There were so many days where I swore Luna was nearly human so it was my deepest wish that she was to be treated and sent off as such.
I’ll never forget who Luna was and who she helped us both become. With this first of many projects, Luna lives on with Phil as a symbol of our reason to always forge ahead the best we can and then share it with others in need. So, if you are here, please remember to plan your time well and enjoy each moment because at The Luna Lodge, these are our rules to live by.
