Client Spotlight - meet Aimee, 53

Aimee Calhoun, 53

A mother, a wife, a joyful, resilient, and beautiful woman embracing this new chapter of life.

- Tell me a little about yourself (name, age, work, volunteering, family, hobbies)

Mathematics Professor at Monroe Community College (in 30 th year)
Church cluster volunteer (St. Agnes, St. Paul of the Cross, St. Rose):
Finance Council Member for five years, cleaner for St. Paul of the
Cross, card writer for homebound parishioners, coordinated a large
fundraiser for the past five years, Facebook page administrator (all of
this was in the past with the exception that I am still the cluster
Facebook page administrator)
American Legion Auxiliary Member (Post 282 in Lima)
Husband: Justin
Daughter: Melanie
Son: Jacob
Hobbies: Scrapbooking and crafting, fishing, ice fishing, running

- When was the last time you were photographed professionally?

Other than a few family portraits when our children were little, the last time
that I was photographed professionally was on our wedding day – 30 years
ago.

- Why did you decide to participate in this project?

I’ve been on a journey to rediscover joy and happiness in this new chapter of my life. With my kids now grown and my 30-year career as a Mathematics Professor winding down, I felt it was the perfect time to do something just for me. I’ve admired Elena’s photography for a long time and knew she could create an experience—and images—that would truly light me up inside. At first, I thought it would be a sweet surprise for my husband as we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, but in the end, it turned out to be an unexpected and beautiful gift to myself. It brought me a kind of happiness I didn’t even know I was missing.

- How did you feel when you first decided to participate in this photoshoot?

I was excited, but I was also nervous.

- What were your initial thoughts and emotions about being photographed at this stage of your life?

Initially, I was nervous and scared to take this huge step out of my comfort zone and get in front of a camera. I have always been the person who takes photos in my family, so this was something very different for me.

- Did you have any concerns or reservations about the photoshoot?

I was concerned that my lack of self-confidence would show in the images.

- Can you describe your experience during the photoshoot?

Pre-photoshoot, I thoroughly enjoyed having my hair and makeup done professionally. I had never had my makeup done professionally and I enjoyed seeing myself in the mirror after the experience. I was also very happy with the way my hair looked after having it curled at the salon. The photoshoot was so much fun! Elena and I laughed and had such a great time. I enjoyed changing my outfits and jewelry as well as trying different poses. The experience is one that I will always remember.

- How did you feel in front of the camera?

At the beginning of the photoshoot, I was very nervous and felt awkward in front of the camera. However, it did not take long for Elena to make me feel at ease and I grew more comfortable as the photoshoot went on.

Were there any moments that stood out to you during the session?

At one point during the session, Elena looked at one of the images she had just taken of me and while I don’t remember her exact words, I do remember that what she said made me feel beautiful both inside and out. It confirmed to me that I was worthy of the experience!

- How did you feel immediately after the photoshoot?

I was so very happy that I participated in the photoshoot, and I felt grateful for the experience!

- What was your reaction when you saw the final photos?

I could not stop smiling! As I watched the images on the video that Elena had created, I just could not believe that it was me that I was looking at! I was filled with gratitude toward Elena for giving me the opportunity to participate in her 40 Plus and Fabulous project! One of the images in particular – when I first saw it – it took me back to my youth. There was something about it that reminded me of the joy and happiness of my younger years and that is something I had been searching for.

- Did the photoshoot change the way you see yourself? If so, how?

In a way, yes – I felt so glamorous that day! I try to make an effort in my appearance and try to always look my best but that day I felt that I really looked awesome!

- How has this experience impacted your self-perception and confidence?

The photoshoot most definitely changed the way I see myself! It made me realize that I can find and feel joy at this stage in my life and that joy can come from within myself. It does not have to come from someone or something else. It was in me all along. I just did not realize it until this photoshoot experience brought it out.

- Did the photoshoot help you discover or rediscover any aspects of yourself?

The day Elena created these images, I did not know how much they would mean to me. They have brought me joy in ways I could not have imagined. The feelings they created inside me have brought me the most joy. Thank you, Elena, for helping me find my inner happiness.

- Was this experience mostly fun, or did it have a deeper impact on you?

The experience was so much fun! However, it did have a deeper impact on me than I expected.

- In what ways did it affect you personally or emotionally?

This experience helped me realize that I can do something out of the ordinary for myself and feel good about it.

- What wisdom would you like to share with young women today?

No matter how busy or stressful your life might get with family, work and other responsibilities, make time for yourself and the things that bring you joy. You also never know when you might be inspiring an older woman like me. I am not sure my daughter realizes it, but she inspired me to participate in this project even though she did not know about it until after my photoshoot! She is such a happy person. She inspired me to find that happiness for myself.

- If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?

Do not worry so much! Most of the things that you worry about are out of your control. Do not let your level of happiness be based on someone else’s life situation. You deserve to be happy even if other people you love might be going through a tough time. Being happy during someone else’s difficult times does not mean that you do not love and care about them. It means that you love yourself, too!

- What are the best things about aging, in your opinion?

As I have aged, I have realized that what other people think of me does not matter. It is what I think of myself that matters

- How do you embrace the changes that come with getting older?

I am embracing the changes that come with getting older by rediscovering myself and what brings joy to my life.

- How have you grown or changed since entering your 40s?

When I was in my mid-forties, I made the life-altering realization that my son was struggling with substance abuse. For years, I struggled with my own feelings of guilt and shame. I wondered – How did this happen? What did I do wrong? Was I not a good mom? What does everyone think of me? Surely, they must think I have been a horrible mom, and this is somehow my fault. When my son entered treatment and we began to learn more about his struggles, I realized that addiction is not a choice. Addiction is a disease. Just like no one chooses to have cancer, no one chooses to become an addict. It has taken many years and the help of many people for me to finally understand and accept that my son’s struggles were not my fault. It was not something that I did wrong. I was and still am a good mom. There is nothing that I could have done differently that would have made my son escape the grips of substance abuse. I am so much stronger now because of my journey with my son. It does not matter to me anymore what people think of me. What matters to me is what I think of myself. The 40 Plus and Fabulous project was a major turning point in my own recovery journey. In addition to giving me images that bring a smile to my face, this project has forever captured the time in my life when I realized that I can be happy no matter what is happening around me.

- What are some accomplishments or milestones you’re proud of at this stage in your life?

Being a wife and mother is at the top of the list! My volunteer work for my church cluster has been a very important part of my life. My dad was a very active member of the community where I grew up. I have aspired to be like him my whole life and I believe he would be proud of my involvement. I am proud of my career at MCC. I have been a full professor for many years, and I am proud of all the lives I have impacted both in and out of the classroom.

- Who or what inspires you at this stage of your life?

My parents taught me the importance of having strong faith. As I have gotten older, I realized that my faith is vital to the inner peace and happiness I have been searching for. My family has always been and continues to be my inspiration. In addition, the people I have met through some of the most difficult struggles of my life inspire me, in particular my parent recovery and life coach.

- Are there any role models or figures who have influenced your outlook on aging?

When I see women who are older than me who look and seem happy, that inspires me.

- Do you have a life motto that you live by?

The Serenity Prayer – God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

- Do you have a quote or a phrase that represents you, your view on life, or tells anything about you

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss

- What are your aspirations and goals for the future?

I look forward to early retirement and having time to enjoy all the things that make me happy. I plan to spend the next year and a half before I retire, exploring my options. In retirement, I would like to get caught up on my scrapbooking, possibly get a part-time job that would have a positive impact on the community, volunteer more of my time to causes close to my heart, learn sign language, travel with my husband and spend time with my children.

- How do you plan to continue celebrating your age and experiences?

I plan to continue celebrating my age by looking for new experiences that make me happy – like my participation in this project!