Anam Cara | Lisa & Emily

From meeting on Instagram over ten years ago, to raising children in tandem. Emily Yates and Lisa Smith share an inseparable bond, not only as best friends, but companions through their creative fields and motherhood.

Our latest everyday collection explores the concept of inseparable bonds and the notion “souls don’t meet by accident”. Each of us can recognise someone in our lives, whether it is a friend, partner or family, who we share this bond with. The Anam Cara collection honours those relationships which hold us steadily through the ups and downs of everyday life, and celebrate those soul connections we often overlook. Those bonds that exist outside of romantic love.

On this journal addition, we talk to Emily and Lisa about how their bond came to be so strong, and the importance of their friendship.

Tell us about yourselves and how you came to meet.

Believe it or not, we actually met through Instagram! Over ten years ago, it was one of those very rare occurrences where you meet someone and just instantly know that they’re your person. A soulmate. Someone that is going to be in your life forever. 


Can you tell us about your fondest memories or shared experiences that have shaped and strengthened the deep connection you have today?

We have so many. We have travelled together (Emily even came on our honeymoon!) We all lived together in our 20s for a few years in a little beach shack with one bathroom! But honestly, I think the moments that have shaped us the most are our quiet times. Laying in bed together laughing at nothing until we wee a little. Making dinner together. Raising our children together. The everyday things that shape a life. 

Tell us about yourselves and how you came to meet.

Believe it or not, we actually met through Instagram! Over ten years ago, it was one of those very rare occurrences where you meet someone and just instantly know that they’re your person. A soulmate. Someone that is going to be in your life forever. 


Can you tell us about your fondest memories or shared experiences that have shaped and strengthened the deep connection you have today?

We have so many. We have travelled together (Emily even came on our honeymoon!) We all lived together in our 20s for a few years in a little beach shack with one bathroom! But honestly, I think the moments that have shaped us the most are our quiet times. Laying in bed together laughing at nothing until we wee a little. Making dinner together. Raising our children together. The everyday things that shape a life. 

"We got to understand each others challenges intimately - we were both living the same thing at the same time. So to have someone so innately connected to you that just got it - was such a blessing and privilege."

As you embarked on the journey of motherhood at similar stages, how did this shift influence your friendship and connection?

One of the most honest answers to this is that we got to understand each others challenges intimately - we were both living the same thing at the same time. So to have someone so innately connected to you that just got it - was such a blessing and privilege. And now watching our kids grow together (they are literally best friends, inseparable) is a whole new gift in of itself. 


Anam Cara translates to 'soul friend'. Can you point to a moment in time when your friendship shifted into soul friends, or was it an instant connection? 

It was pretty instant. Sometimes people come across your path and you just know. I feel like it was like this for us. We have been deeply invested in each other from the very beginning.  


What are the qualities you two value in each other? 

Emily: For me it’s Lisa’s ability to love unconditionally. She is so open and deep with her emotions. It’s refreshing and inspiring, to be so vulnerable with the people that are important to you. She’s also deeply loyal and kind to a fault. Sometimes I joke around and try to get her to say something bad about someone, but it’s yet to happen. We’ll keep trying. 

Lisa: Em has honestly too many good qualities to name, her humour & sheer wit are incredible to witness, I feel lucky to have a best friend who makes me laugh every day. She is also fiercely loyal and would do anything for her friends at the drop of a hat, I also love that she is always always up for a good time! 


How do you stay connected, and maintain such a meaningful friendship, especially when life becomes busy and distracting?

I think we both prioritise our friendship and that’s important. We both always make sure to make time for each other. And to both equally value this is important. 

Emily and Lisa wear the Cara Necklace, Dà anam Necklace and Cara Rings.

As you embarked on the journey of motherhood at similar stages, how did this shift influence your friendship and connection?

One of the most honest answers to this is that we got to understand each others challenges intimately - we were both living the same thing at the same time. So to have someone so innately connected to you that just got it - was such a blessing and privilege. And now watching our kids grow together (they are literally best friends, inseparable) is a whole new gift in of itself. 


Anam Cara translates to 'soul friend'. Can you point to a moment in time when your friendship shifted into soul friends, or was it an instant connection? 

It was pretty instant. Sometimes people come across your path and you just know. I feel like it was like this for us. We have been deeply invested in each other from the very beginning.  


What are the qualities you two value in each other? 

Emily: For me it’s Lisa’s ability to love unconditionally. She is so open and deep with her emotions. It’s refreshing and inspiring, to be so vulnerable with the people that are important to you. She’s also deeply loyal and kind to a fault. Sometimes I joke around and try to get her to say something bad about someone, but it’s yet to happen. We’ll keep trying. 

Lisa: Em has honestly too many good qualities to name, her humour & sheer wit are incredible to witness, I feel lucky to have a best friend who makes me laugh every day. She is also fiercely loyal and would do anything for her friends at the drop of a hat, I also love that she is always always up for a good time! 


How do you stay connected, and maintain such a meaningful friendship, especially when life becomes busy and distracting?

I think we both prioritise our friendship and that’s important. We both always make sure to make time for each other. And to both equally value this is important. 

Emily and Lisa wear the Cara Necklace, Dà anam Necklace and Cara Rings.

SHOP

Anam Cara

Our Anam Cara collection heroes the Love Knot motif. Formed with a continuous piece of metal with no definitive start or end, it serves as an ode to our soul friends: those who occupy the most sacred and special parts of our lives.

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