I’m an open book, sometimes to a fault, but when you first meet me you might label me as shy or introverted. It just takes me a second to warm up, but I love people and especially love the stories and experiences that define them. I have a particular soft spot for those that fall into the new and tiny category as well as those cute wrinkly people at the opposite end of life’s circle.

My most favorite people on the planet however, include my husband and partner-in-crime, our two sons, TJ and Noah, our daughter Mary-Rose and our three little souls in Heaven we will one day meet and will forever love. The honor and gift of being a wife and mother have left me aged beyond my years but – wow – have those years been amazing. I am trying desperately to uncover the secret of “letting go” and struggle daily with this love that knows no bounds and threatens to drown me in the truth that it is all out of my control.

I function best in an organized environment and fall apart when surrounded by clutter. I’m an OCD-lifer, but thankfully no longer crumble under the weight of anxiety that once held my peace of mind captive. I love, love to laugh and do so loudly and most often with tears. For some reason, watching people fall never fails to send me into hysterics. It’s a thing, and I’m not sure what it reveals about me, but my husband assures me its nothing good.

I have no sense of direction; pretty sure I was simply born without that gene. I do my best not to crowd my brain with unnecessary information; things like math and the ins and outs of how things work are a real turnoff for me. Coffee, chocolate, and salty snacks however, are turn-me-ons. I write and hold utensils with my left hand, but do everything else – play sports, cut with scissors, brush my hair – with my right. I consider this ambidextrous-ness a bit of a superpower, but try not to brag. I have a significant dislike for spiders and question why anything needs that many legs. I also have a skin-crawling aversion to hearing people chew their food. I absolutely hate being cold and I’m always cold; going to bed with socks is a non-negotiable.

I love nothing more than to string words together to tell a story. I look at our vast vocabulary as a painter looks at the color wheel; the blank page is my canvas – honesty, vulnerability and just the right amount of humor my medium. I firmly believe that we were never intended to walk this journey alone and find the opportunity to share our experiences and learn from one another life’s greatest assignments. I mess up all the time but get up and try again, (after a cup of coffee or two). Prayer is my compass and I am forever grateful to be so deeply cherished and loved by God. There is much I still have to learn, but I do know one thing for sure. It may be a bumpy ride, but there is always, always joy in the journey.