The September Issue 2013 September 2013 | Page 122

FASHION beauty
with Alicia R. Camlibel, Ph.D., LPC, Psychotherapist

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My best friend recently got married. I have known her practically my entire life. Shortly after she announced the engagement, she came to visit for a long weekend. Needless to say, the topic of the engagement and wedding came up over that time. She began to describe to us her fiance and the picture she painted was of a man opposite to her in every way. He is a tall, tattooed, retired athlete and she is a petite, professional, suit wearing, mother of two. Among the many comments about him one struck a cord with me that weekend, she said something to the effect of, “our relationship is easy and it works, it works with me, it works with the kids, it just works.” Like most good friends and family would do, I was extremely happy and excited for her, and beyond eager to meet him.

Fast forward a few months later. The weekend of the wedding has arrived and my family and I finally get to meet him. The physical differences between them are very obvious, however, the similarities become apparent over the course of the weekend. It becomes evident why, as she put it, “it just works.” They share many similarities, including a love of family and friends, a passion for nutrition and exercise, the ability to talk and share things, and a desire to make each other the best they can be and mutual goals for the future. As we got to know him, my family and I came to love him just like we love her. You may ask why the heck, as part of my inaugural article for Fashion Affair Magazine, I am telling you this story. Well, this wedding weekend, coincided with me becoming a contributor to this fabulous magazine. As I thought about what to write for this first, and oh so important column, I kept thinking about my newly married friend. I kept thinking about how she said upon first glance, some people who know her were initially thinking, how opposite these two are. I kept thinking how you, as a reader of this

great magazine, may be thinking the same thing about me and Fashion Affair Magazine. In a nutshell, I am a psychotherapist on the East coast of the United States, I am a wife and mother of three small children, who is lucky to put on some mascara and blush, in addition to a coordinated outfit each morning, as I rush out the door to work. Upon first glance, I may appear to be the totally opposite of Fashion Affair Magazine. However, just like in my opening paragraph, I am hoping that with time you will come to know and love what I bring to the table. First and foremost, I am passionate about people and helping them be the best they can be. I am passionate about helping people to think about things in a different way and hopefully change their feelings about certain things. I am passionate about sharing what I know towards