April 21–23, millions of birds crossed the night sky — navigating by stars, magnetic fields, and sound. Among them, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird that makes its way into Michigan. We were talking about feeders, about that first sighting of the season, when Tina paused:
“I think I need to be a hummingbird.”
And just like that, the direction shifted.
How We Met
I’ve known Tina for a few years — brought together by fashion, entrepreneurship, and neurodiversity.
Our paths kept crossing and sparking.
At Rewind — the vintage shop she runs with her husband Caleb — we’ve partnered on live dash-dye events. Rewind isn’t just a store. It’s a rhythm. Music, movement, community, brand ambassadors, fashion shows — a space where people are invited to shine. Check out: https://www.rewindgrandrapids.com/
Tina builds that kind of energy.
And she shares it.
Who She Is
Tina is sparkles and leather.
Vintage cardigans, tees, wild accessories — a style that feels both grounded and electric.
But there’s more underneath.
She’s walked through seasons of pain — health challenges that made even simple movement difficult. And in that process, she rebuilt her relationship with her body.
Pain does that.
It breaks things open…
and gives you a chance to put them back together in different ways.
Tina chose to rebuild with joy.
She chose creativity.
She chose to keep going.
And being around her? It’s contagious. She brings energy back to your own dreams.
Why the Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is small — but don’t let that fool you.
- It beats its wings up to 50 times per second
- It can hover, fly backward, and pivot mid-air
- It migrates thousands of miles, sometimes crossing the Gulf of Mexico in one nonstop flight
- The male’s throat flashes ruby only in the right light — otherwise it appears dark
It is a study in precision, resilience, and transformation.
That felt like Tina.
Active at night.
Constantly moving ideas forward.
Bright when the light hits just right.
A force you feel before you fully understand.
The Look
We built Tina’s look around the hummingbird’s iridescence:
- Emerald green wide-leg stretch denim
- Burgundy dyed wild rag worn as a shirt (the “ruby” throat)
- Emerald rayon wrap styled as a shrug
- Raven black accents for grounding and movement
The palette shifted as she moved — green to dark to glowing red — just like the bird in sunlight.
She didn’t just wear color.
She caught it.
The Session
We moved between two spaces:
- Apple blossoms at Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery
- Sunlit paths at Provin Trails Park
Blossoms. Trees. Open sky.
Tina floated between them.
She paused to smell, to notice, to engage — as she belonged to the landscape. Her smile came easily. Her laughter carried. There was a lightness in her movement — not forced, just found again.
It felt like watching someone return to themselves.
Color Connection
Hummingbirds live in iridescence — colors that shift with angle and light.
- Emerald → growth, renewal, heart energy
- Ruby/Burgundy → vitality, courage, life force
- Black → depth, contrast, grounding
Together, they tell a story:
You can be soft and strong.
Small and powerful.
Wounded and radiant.
Tina chose these colors.
And in doing so, she chose to be seen.
A Spark in Motion
There’s a moment with hummingbirds — you almost miss them.
Then suddenly—
They’re there.
A flash. A hum. A presence.
That’s Tina.
A spark in motion.
A builder of spaces.
A reminder that joy is something we practice — not wait for.
Find Your Bird (or Your Becoming)
This series isn’t just about birds.
It’s about finding the shape, color, and movement that reflect who you are right now.
Sometimes that’s a bird.
Sometimes it’s a feeling.
Sometimes it’s a version of you that’s been waiting.
If you’re ready to explore it—
Come play with color.
Build a look that moves with you.
And let’s see what takes flight.
