Brave Heart, Brave Soul. She who is brave is free.

“True love isn’t found, It’s built.” ~ Anonymous Love, it all starts with a spark, doesn’t it? And afterwards, is where the real adventure begins. Sure diamonds are forever but adventures, now they’re the moments diamonds are made for. Each impression left across our hearts, every escapade along the way becomes eternally endless and enduring, right? We build our lives on these very memories. And as for the legacies we leave behind? Well, they’re each stitched from the very fabric God’s woven together from our greatest adventures. We find our true North as we set out, hand in hand chasing what sets our souls on fire. And for my parents that fire was found in each other some 49 years ago. Just like Genesis 2:18 God created my parents uniquely for one another. “ And the Lord God said, “It isn’t good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs.” Now, they will both tell you they didn’t find each other first. Both felt the sting of rejectio...

"Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. "Be still." they say. "Watch and listen, you are the result of the love of thousands." ~ Anonymous When it comes to family I am a part of a diverse group of people. We have branches entwined into our family from all over this world...India, to Korea to Eastern Europe, Native Americans and beyond. Our family tree has strong roots, grafting, weaving and joining together our many, diverse and different moving fluid parts. Our roots are deep, solid and flourishing. Like our many branches, our family provides a canopy of protection and refuge, a culture of both remarkable and exceptional heritage. Our branches have long been shaped, pruned and joined together through the lives, the love and the legacy of those who came before me. As a woman I've grown to see the truth and the authenticity in acknowledging, "In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future." (Alex Haley)...

“Home is where your story begins.” ~anonymous Our home is the beginning of our story, but our life together is the story itself. We are a small, sometimes untidy, and a bit unruly but mostly a happy bunch of nuts from the same tree. Life in our home, inside the intimacy of our walls knows no limits.  Why, because our home has never been contained by four walls. When I look at my husband I see the man who offered me his name, never insisting I take it. I see the man who became the father of our children, giving them his unconditional love. I fall in love with Johnny even more when I watch him engaging with our boys. I have watched him grow as a father, losing some battles only to find his footing again becoming stronger. As a mom, I sit back and watch a lot. You know what I see? I see a man who loves his boys more than himself. A man who is proud of the men they are becoming and I see a man who would sacrifice anything for their good. I also see the interactions, ho...

Love, what comes to mind when you think of amore? Is it romance, passion or intimacy? Maybe it’s none of these things at all. No matter what we think love should be the truth is love is many, many things. Love is kind, forgiving and gracious. Love is full of laughter, sometimes angry, other time it’s filled with sorrow and tears. Love offers compassion, love grows and deepens over time, love is an act of self-sacrifice and yes love is difficult.  True love can be bold, fierce and beautiful whereas the idea of love can be destructive, hostel and vicious.  Sadly many times we get caught up in what we think love should be. We compare our relationships to the ones we see in the movies, read about in books or lyrics sung on the radio. We get so caught up in fairy tales, in a writer or songwriter’s version of a love story; we forget who the real author of our love story truly is. Fear can be a driving force in love. Insecurities, uncertainties, anxiety and doubt can destroy lov...