Local Love Spotlight: Sarahjean & Amanda
We at Canadian Bride Guide are thrilled to be part of the movement that’s shifting the dial towards more diverse and inclusive publishing.
Maximizing inclusivity, diversity, and actual representation, we’re honoured to be able to utilize our platform to showcase “brides” and couples in every form. This ‘Local Love Spotlight’ segment will focus on showcasing a wide variety of unique and meaningful Canadian love stories - we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
When passionate, energetic, and creative Amanda Wand first met fun, visual, and trailblazing Sarahjean Richardson neither could have predicted just how fast they’d fall. Connected by art and fuelled by their collective passion for travel, cooking, and all things social justice, these two adorable love birds are laying the foundation and paving the way for a strong, beautiful, and supportive lifetime of love.
CBG: Amanda, Sarahjean, it’s so nice to meet you both! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today. Before we get too far into it, could you quickly tell us about yourselves?
Amanda: I am an abstract intuitive artist with lots of passion, energy, and love that I give to the world! I am a person who feels deeply in all directions. I am passionate about social justice issues and using your platform to make a difference. I have a loud cackle laugh, I enjoy dancing, socializing, and spending quality time with the people I love.
Sarahjean: And I am a fun, visual illustrator from Trinidad and Tobago. I enjoy taking care of my many plants, listening to music, dancing and cooking, and spending quality time with the people I love. I am passionate about social justice issues.
CBG: Amazing! It sounds like you’re both really creative souls who both share a heck of a lot of heart. Amanda, what is it that you really love about Sarahjean, what makes her great?
Amanda: Sarahjean is the most authentic genuine person I have ever met. She is always completely herself, she does not have a performative self. She is always grounded in who she truly is. I love that about her! The confidence to own who she is no matter who is around. Sarahjean is a kind, humble, caring, and witty character. She can appear quiet but just turn on some Soca and she will light up the room! She grounds me. She is a naturally gifted artist, so talented. I love her passion about creating and learning new artistic things. She is the most supportive partner ever, such a positive, fun loving, and intelligent woman. She is constantly going out of her way to lift me up and truly believes in me and she is the best person in my life. And she gives a really good hug!
CBG: Aw, haha, well that’s just the sweetest thing - And good hugs are certainly a fantastic added bonus! Sarahjean, what do you love about Amanda, what makes her great?
Sarahjean: She’s got an aura of light and love around her that I was just drawn to. She’s such an amazing human being. Passionate, caring, kind and so cute! Amanda is a powerhouse of a woman; an incredible artist and creator. She’s very open and receptive to discover new things and to sharing her perspective on the world while still finding the joy in every situation. I get her and gets me and all my quirks! I love her soft touch and seeing her warm loving smile every morning when I wake. I am looking forward to discovering new and wonderful things together with her for the rest of my life!
CBG: Sigh, excuse us as we melt. What sweet and meaningful words to describe what sounds like such a special partner. It really and truly sounds like the both of you are incredibly compassionate, talented, and loving forces to be reckoned with. Tell us, how was it that you two happened to meet?
Amanda & Sarahjean: We met on Bumble! At first Sarahjean was interested in Amanda based on her profile picture, her art and beauty. Amanda was attracted to Sarahjean's chill sexy vibe, loved that she started a conversation about art, and bonus points because Sarahjean was from Trinidad (Amanda loves Trinidad and had been 6 times before meeting Sarahjean).
CBG: Aw, Bumble-ella’s! (Like Cinderella’s, but the snazzy, modern, Bumble Edition). How sweet. It sounds like you really hit the ground running! How long after that did you wait before you decided to take things offline?
Sarahjean: Our first date was March 23rd 2019. Two days after we matched on Bumble! We went to this cute bar, Insomnia for late night drinks. I had just returned from Trinidad Carnival two weeks prior so going on a date with someone that knows and loves my culture and music was major for me. To me the entire evening felt effortless. No forced conversations or pretentious interest. Amanda was so much fun to chat with. So engaging, and full of stories from her career and travel. And art! We talked about our love of art and discussed our love for creating. We talked and laughed all night and hit off so well on every level. We basically closed the bar down. Before the night ended I knew that I really liked her. On the way out of the bar we decided to share an Uber ride but before we got to the car, I knew I needed to figure out a way to sort through my own awkwardness and initiate a goodnight kiss. We sat quietly in the back seat for this 6mins car ride and as the car pulled up to my stop I felt like I lost my chance. I leaned in for a hug, and in that moment I felt like, I needed to go for it. It’s now or never! As I slowly released from the hug I shot in and gave her the quickest little kiss on the lips, and she kissed back! Best date ever!
CBG: Gah, it certainly sounds like it. While the first date was clearly a home run, when was it that you felt you knew she was a really good fit.
Amanda: I would say that it was very comfortable very quickly. I had said months before I met Sarahjean, that I wanted to be with someone who wanted to be with me and only me, without question. On our first date Sarahjean told me she was dating another woman who was polyamorist. I had tried a poly relationship before and knew it wasn’t for me. So after our first date I had liked her but didn’t know if it could be serious because of that. Three weeks in I knew I wanted to be with her exclusively. I didn’t want to share her. So I told her how I felt in bed at 2am. I said "I want to be with you and only you, I don’t want to do a poly relationship. So if you want to keep seeing me then it has to be only me." She responded so well, so kind and no defensiveness. No games just honesty. That's when I knew. I knew she was going to pick me. I wasn’t scared to talk to her, I wasn't scared of the outcome and I've never felt that way before. So sure of someone. We chatted again a few days after and I think we both knew during that chat that what we had was special, it fit, and we both wanted to commit to a relationship together! She broke it off with the other woman and I felt fully chosen for the first time ever.
CBG: We love how open and honest you both were - not just about where you were at currently, but with what you were really looking for. Knowing yourself and being able to have those honest conversations are such game changing pillars to any great relationship. What about you Sarahjean, was there a specific moment when you knew Amanda was going to be the amazingly great fit that she so clearly is?
Sarahjean: I knew we were a good fit very early on. At the time I was dating someone who encouraged me to date other people, and I’m so glad that I made that Bumble profile and found Amanda! I had been on one other date prior to meeting her, but it didn’t come close to what I experienced with Amanda. I felt that she cared so deeply and genuinely about things that mattered to me. It was never a matter of playing games, or guessing with her. It felt so easy. She got my humour, and was interested in everything about me. For our second date we went to the movies, and on the third date, I invited myself to her art studio. This was where we got to see each other dressed down in sweats, and no make-up. It was very special to me that she let me into her creative space. I never dated multiple women before, so this was very new to me. The more I saw Amanda, the more I knew that I wanted to see no one else but her. She was open and honest about what she wanted and the feeling was mutual. What I wanted in a relationship and in a partner was looking right at me, so dating her exclusively was inevitable!
CBG: How magical. We love how not only did you both really listen to your intuitions, but you were both super accepting both of what you wanted as individuals, as well as what the other person was looking for.
Amanda: Love is full acceptance, it is a connection that feels comfortable, supportive, and encouraging. Love is a way of being. It is a verb. It is intention living out loud. A loving relationship makes you want to be better and feel fully accepted for exactly who you are at the same time. And for months it made me blush and sometimes it still does!
“Love is full acceptance, it is a connection that feels comfortable, supportive, and encouraging. Love is a way of being. It is a verb. It is intention living out loud. A loving relationship makes you want to be better and feel fully accepted for exactly who you are at the same time.”
Sarahjean: Love comes in many layers and has been overly defined, but I see love in a relationship as the glue to everything. It’s thrilling and exciting, and scary all at once. You’re committing to a person and putting your heart on the line, which is not easy to do. But if you do commit to love and love is returned, it can warm up the deepest and darkest of souls.
CBG: We couldn’t agree more. While you clearly found exactly what you were looking for in a partner, was there anything that surprised you about the other person?
Amanda: I had a challenging time answering this question because Sarahjean is very straightforward and direct, I was so drawn to that quality in her. As our relationship evolved I started to see some more of her tender softness. We went on a vacation to Mexico last year and one morning over breakfast we started talking about her Grandmother. She was telling me stories and I could feel how deeply she cared and loved her family in that moment so vividly. It didn’t surprise me, it was more of a confirmation of a side that didn’t always get highlighted, a side that made me love her even more.
CBG: Aw, that really is so sweet. Were there any others?
Amanda: Another surprise was how she wanted to celebrate when she received her Canadian citizenship, a journey that took her 10 years to achieve! She wanted to go to dinner and the movies. I love that about her, she doesn’t need big or flashy, she finds joy in the simple things.
CBG: Now that is certainly something to celebrate! Sarahjean, what about you? What did you find most surprising about Amanda?
Sarahjean: When I first heard about Amanda traveling to over 30 counties I was very surprised. I never expected to have that come with such a deep humility and acceptance of other cultures. Granted, some were work-related - as a former Director of Global Leadership Operations, which also surprised me by the way (her impressive career trajectory), I think that traveling to locations like Ecuador, Peru, Kenya, Mexico etc. really helped shape who she is as a woman. That was the part that seemed the most incredible. I believe it played a big part in her life and contributed to her passion and acceptance of others. She cares about issues globally and at home, and is very passionate about social justice issues, anti-racism, and values honour and respect for all. Amanda is always willing to learn more and do more, all while being cognizant of the space and privilege she holds as a white woman. Such a welcoming breath of fresh air!
CBG: It certainly sounds like it! Ok, so after you discovered how great each of you were and decided to officially start seeing each other, who was the first person you told?
Amanda: My roommate Nicky
Sarahjean: My cousin Ayanna
CBG: Were these the only ones you told? Was it a secret?
Sarahjean: No it was not. Not at all. We were posting on social media, and we shared with friends. There was no way to stifle the joy we felt now that we’d found each other! I was ready to shout it off the roof tops!
CBG: Gah, so cute.
Amanda: I couldn't keep it a secret if I tried. I was blushing at the thought of Sarahjean for months! It was written all over my face that I was beyond smitten!
CBG: Now that is definitely the sign of true love. We can totally see why you’d want to tell the world! Aside from being head over heels for each other, you’re both very talented and accomplished artists. Both being artists, there must be a lot of creating that you do. What is your source of inspiration?
Amanda: I love that we are both artists, but different artists. I can't do what Sarahjean does, it is incredible! Being artists with different mediums and subjects allows us to support each other without the comparison aspect. I draw my inspiration from the world around me, the energy I am feeling, the emotions flowing through me. I never plan my pieces, I just allow myself to flow onto the canvas and to the world. My feelings: love, joy, pain etc. As an intuitive artist, it comes with the territory!
Sarahjean: I am inspired by a lot! I’m an admirer of the technique involved in creating something that looks both realistic and visually appealing. As a self-taught artist, in the beginning I tried to focus on the details of a design, and the layers of precision that went into drawing, and I still do. But as my skill level improved I started to draw people and faces, and in doing so my art transformed into focusing on my people. Black people and Black culture. The artistic imagery that’s least seen in the art world. And being a proud Black and queer woman, it’s only right that my art represents that intersectionality.
CBG: How incredibly powerful. Ok, so since it seems like your art is a shared passion but definitely something unique you two also like to explore in your own individual ways, what are some activities you love doing together?
Sarahjean & Amanda: love going to the movies, dinner, art shows, drinks with friends and dancing. But as time has changed we have fallen more in love with going for nature walks together. We have been watching a lot of Rupaul's Drag Race. We are big fans! We sometimes create in the same space together, but most of our collaborations happen in the kitchen. We love making homemade pizza.
CBG: Yum! Sounds delicious! Ok, so with that in mind, what’s a typical date like for you two?
Sarahjean & Amanda: Pack up some snacks, drinks, art supplies and head to the beach or park and spend time together creating in nature and relaxing! Dinner and movies is always a hit.
CBG: Chuckle, we can see why it would be! Sounds like fun! What we really love is just how rock solid your relationship truly seems. Is there one particular strength that you think you could attribute this to?
Sarahjean & Amanda: Initially I typed that our biggest strength in our relationship is our open communication with a high dose of patience. But, in reality, it’s because we love each other so much that we have the willingness to communicate and have patience with each other, that bolsters that love and sustains it! It’s a fortified love. A love of depth and substance. So our biggest strength is that we love being in love with each other and are willing to do the necessary work to make sure that love grows stronger and stronger every day.
CBG: Now that certainly sounds like a recipe for absolute open, honest, and real relationship perfection. In the hopes of passing on this blissful wisdom to other prospective couples out there, are there any relationship tips or tricks you’d recommend?
Amanda: Be open to love and be honest about what you truly want. Something I once read that always stuck with me "If someone likes you you'll know, if they don't like you then you'll be confused". So my advice is don't wait out confusion or play games, the right person is out there and you'll know without question when they come, so practise owning what you want now."
Sarahjean: Don’t be afraid to love would be my advice. We don’t have a secret, per se, we just know what we have and want to keep it. I would say for perspective couples to simply look for things you admire in the people you date and be open to have fun. Love should not be difficult or painful. When it’s right it should be easy, because being in love is like the best thing to ever happen to you.
CBG: We couldn’t agree more. Finally, what are you looking forward most in the future?
Amanda: I want to take Sarahjean traveling, I want to explore the world with her!
Sarahjean: Continued love and joy from our amazing relationship and hopefully buying a house where we make beautiful art together! Marriage, babies, and grand babies!
CBG: Now that sounds like a beautiful future indeed. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us Sarahjean and Amanda! All the best on all of you beautiful, wonderful, adventurous, and creative future endeavours!
To learn more about Amanda & Sarahjean feel free to follow their journey at:
@srichartist | @sarahjean_rich | @mandoandtheworld
www.mandoandtheworld.com | www.srichartist.com
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