What Did You Expect?
What if I told you, I’m nothing like you think I am? That what you see does not match what is inside?
Sure, I’m a mom, a spouse, a digital marketing manager, a friend, a business owner, and a homemaker. I have three wonderful kids ranging from 10 to 16 years old who keep me on my toes and remind me daily of the beauty in small things.
I’m also the oldest of 4 (8 if you count my cousins who are basically siblings). Dependable, responsible, hard-working, get-it-done kind of person. The don’t rock the boat, make sure everyone is taken care of and content kind of person. Safe. Don’t make someone else’s life difficult kind of person.
But what if that isn’t all I am? What if my favorite things are hard rock music with age requirements, or I have a mouth like a sailor? And I’m a dramatic romantic who would rather have you listen to a song or read a quote than explain her thoughts? What if my goal in life is to make the some people uncomfortable – because I love watching them have to defend their morals or step out of their comfort zone? Would you be surprised? Stick around and find out.
I’ve been on a long journey with anxiety and depression—a journey that has spanned more than 20 years and has brought its challenges. Grew up to fast; experienced traumatic loss to early…at around 35, I found myself at the peak of my struggle, feeling lost and overwhelmed; and for a short period, suicidal. It’s in those moments, however, that I discovered something remarkable: blissful imperfection. Not the perfect kind you see in movies – or the kind you would expect from someone like me – but a very real, messy, and human resilience that as forced me to accept who I truly am.
I’ve decided to share my story because I know that so many of us carry our burdens in silence (yeah…you in particular). Through this blog, I want to offer an honest look at my life as someone who’s trying her best to make sense of it all while navigating the unrealistic pressure and expectations of the world. I want to share encouragement, practical ideas, and a few laughs along the way—whether that’s through a recipe I’ve stumbled upon that actually worked, a moment of reflection that brought me clarity, or what my 10 year old just told me about puberty….
This space is about embracing imperfections, celebrating small wins, and finding joy in everyday life—even when it’s hard. I hope you find comfort, inspiration, or simply a sense of belonging here. Let’s support one another, share our stories, and remind each other that, no matter what we’re facing, we are not alone.
