I first met Rika at an event, and her warmth and genuine nature were immediately apparent. When she told me what she did, I instantly thought of my mother-in-law. Her life is filled with incredible stories, experiences and achievements — stories that we had been immersed in and hearing about from the moment she first became part of my life. I knew this was an experience I wanted to gift to her.
Rika went above and beyond to make the whole experience feel personal, thoughtful and truly special. She created a space where Mum could share her memories openly, and then somehow transformed those stories into a beautiful book that felt completely and authentically her.
For me, the most beautiful part of the experience has been seeing how much the book means to Mum. Rika didn’t simply document her life — she gave her something she can hold onto, return to, and draw strength from. She captured not just the events of her life, but the person behind them.
It is such a meaningful gift to give someone: the opportunity to see their own life reflected back at them, to recognise everything they have lived through and achieved, and to know that their story matters.
I will always be grateful to Rika for the care, sensitivity and heart she brought to this. She created something that our whole family will treasure, and I couldn’t recommend her more highly.