Folks We Love with Tahyna Valentina Macmanus
Tell us a little bit about your journey and how you’ve come to arrive here.
My name is Tahyna Valentina Macmanus. Formerly Tahyna Tozzi, daughter of Yvonne and Nicola. I met my darling husband Tristan whilst carving out my career in Los Angeles. Five years later I gave birth to our first child, a daughter Echo Ísolde who is our rainbow baby after losing her sibling before her.
Who’s in your family? Ages? Names?
Tristan (My husband 34 years) and Echo who has just turned one! Being Irish and Italian/Dutch our extended family goes on for pages!! You will be here reading all day.
How did you choose your kids names?
I always loved the name Ísolde from the legend story of Tristan & Ísolde. Tristan actually brought this name up – I keep trying to take credit. It is very traditional and I love it’s Celtic origins. It was actually my first choice. However, before I became pregnant I wrote a story about a young songbird (this developed further into a film but that’s another story) I named the young character Echo. After the greek goddess who fell in love with the God Narcissus. She was cursed by Hera to only speak the last few words spoken to her and was forced to watch Narcissus fall in love with himself. I always loved the name. When I fell pregnant I had this feeling. I knew it was girl and I knew I had to call her Echo. There’s no other explanation.
Location?
Constantly on the move but I can safely say Australia is now home base.
Occupation?
Mother. Wife. Friend. Writer. Director. Actress.
What’s on your manifest board?
I’ve been slack with my manifestation board as of late. Though, around my office space I’ve put pictures and “mood” boards of what I want my work to feel like and evoke.
Tell us some of your most loved ways to spend the day with your clan?
A day playing and reading altogether without interruption of phones, computers – technology in general. Maybe a swim in the ocean.
What are some silly/fun things that the kids do or say?
Echo is serious miss attitude. She has her angry face and makes sure that both Tristan and I see it when she’s angry. She has always had a headstrong personality from day dot. Come back to me in five years time and I’m sure I’ll have some doozies. She LOVES music. On some level I think that’s her calling. She doesn’t stop dancing and has a serious thing for Aaron Neville tunes.
When you were a teenager what did you dream of? Do things look different?
I dreamt of love. I dreamt of family. I dreamt of being on stage or performing. Oddly enough, my life has played out like a fairy tale. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had my dark times but I can reflect now and really be content with how everything played out. The good, the bad and the ugly. It all led me here to this place and this place feels pretty good.
What are some things you really believe in?
You reap what you sow. Being sensitive and forgiving is not weak – it is very strong. Karma is a thing.
Where do your passions lie?
In people. I want to be a fantastic mother and set an example for my daughter about humanity and compassion. I am also deeply passionate about story telling. Human stories about sacrifice and survival against all odds.
Has your relationship with your other half changed since having kids?
Yes. We created this tiny little human with real thoughts and feelings and it is such an unbelievable experience. We are exhausted, and Echo runs the household at this stage but we know those sleepless nights don’t last forever and we know we made a commitment to one another. I adore my husband and fall in love with him a little more each day. We are growing together and having a child is a huge respoinsibilty but the reward is just unexplainable. Your child is like no other and it’s nice to share that with someone.
What are some of your favorite life lessons you’ve grown to love? (even if learning them at the time was hard)
Life is hard but you have to be adaptable. You have to make the most of every scenario and you have to “let go” sometimes.
What do you wish you could’ve told yourself when you were a teenager?
Go out more and stop being so introverted. You are not fat, you are not ugly and you are very smart STOP the bullshit.
What do you find most challenging about being somebody’s parent?
They rely on us to guide them. It terrifies me that I’ll have to let her find her own wings one day even if that means she may get hurt along the way. I think I may struggle with that.
What do you want your kids to learn about the world?
It is as dark as it is beautiful. We only have this one. Look after it and those who inhabit it.
What are 4 things you can’t live without as a parent?
Coffee. Lanolin/Paw Paw ointment. Music (all kinds) and family.