The Person Behind the Words

Born and raised in Indiana, I ventured out of my comfort zone at the age of 14 when I moved to The Netherlands with my mom. From that moment on, I knew I was brave enough to handle being away from everything I knew and everyone I loved. Always ready for a new adventure, my family opted to move from rural Indiana to Florida in 2019. 

From the age of six, Purdue was my gold (and black) standard for higher education.  Maybe it was because I wanted to be a veterinarian as a kid, but honestly, I have no idea why I held the school in such high regard. Attending the "cow college" (as my grandpa lovingly referred to it) never left my sights, even as career goals changed. With two degrees from the red brick university, I'm proud to say I will remain "every grateful, ever true."

In November 2010, one month prior to graduating with my veterinary technology degree, I suffered a massive stroke. It went undiagnosed for two weeks, but that's a much more involved story. In March 2011, Mike and I met on Match.com and married in late 2012. This patient guy has only ever known the post-stroke version of me.

 Not everyone appreciates Florida's heat and humidity, but I was made for sweating 75% of the year and never having a good hair day. Cold weather was never my thing, so being outside in December, able to enjoy the sunshine and ice cream with my daughter, balances any cons. Plus, I rather love telling my friends and family back home that we lounge by the pool up until December. Cheeky little devil!

In high school, brands didn't matter. Graphic tees from Gadzooks and Goodwill were my jam. During my college years, I lived in Purdue tees from Harry's Chocolate Shop and the Discount Den. Staying true to my brand into adulthood, funny tees are the main component of my wardrobe. I even have a growing collection of them with Biblical puns, which I proudly showcase at church on Sundays!

Since her debut in 2014, HJP has been stealing the spotlight with her charm and comedic timing. This lady's got mesmerizing blue eyes, a smile that melts your heart, and a level of confidence mixed with sass that could rival Cher. I have no doubt this kid could one day rule the world.

"Can I pet that dog?"

Did you read that in the little girl's twang-y voice as I intended? 

Well, that kid is like me. From having cockroaches crawl all over my back during kids' story time at the public library to fighting my nephew and daughter for dibs on holding the alligator first... if it has a heartbeat, I want to touch it and make it my new friend.

This kid is a crazy combination of Mike and me... which is both terrifying and endearing. Motherhood is a crazy ride, so I'm trying to teach her: normal is boring, kindness speaks volumes, it's ok to put rude people in their place, "no" is a complete sentence, cereal can be dinner when you forget to take chicken out of the freezer, properly timed sarcasm can provide great comedic value, and life is tough... but we are tougher. 

As a kid, I would pretend to be Ariel, belting "Part of Your World" from the top of my lungs in the shower. In the fourth grade, I learned how to play the entire "Lion King" soundtrack on my recorder. This love has followed me into adulthood, where I belt "Let It Go" and "How Far I'll Go" for funsies and talk to princesses at Disney World like they're real. 

Because they are.

For the past five years, I find matching pajamas for the three of us. Why? Why not? should be the real question. Mike had no say in the matter. (That should be made known.) Ignoring how far they make their eyes roll, I will continue this tradition for as long as I'm able... just like eating hot dogs for Christmas dinner.

Religion can be a touchy subject, but I am proud of this moment! HJP and I found our church family a couple of years after moving to Florida. These church members happily welcome every person, working hard to be the true, loving people God intended us to be. Plus, I get to heckle our Notre Dame-loving pastor from my designated spot in the back row, so that's fun.

When we aren't strolling along the beach on New Years Eve or inside escaping to air-conditioned bliss, we are regularly talking smack during our living room Uno tournaments, lounging in the pool, kayaking through the springs, or camping, grilling, and laughing our way through games of Cards Against Humanity with our fabulous neighbors. In true Florida-style, we have also been known to participate in a few golf cart parades (tossing candy included). 

Working in the veterinary field, the pets that are "lemons" tend to find us. I have had the pleasure of being kept by nine felines since 2006 - all but one of whom have had some form of special needs. Tripp, our most recent addition, came to us with a nerve injury, resulting in a wonky paw. Then, at five months old, he lost his eye. While a loveable goof, this dude will do serious damage to get his paws on catnip!

Bea was a couple of months old when found in the bushes outside of the clinic where I worked, with her lower lip detached from the bone. Planning only to foster until healthy enough to rehome, we decided to make her a permanent part of the family after Elliott (our hydrocephalus tabby) passed away unexpectedly two days before Christmas 2021. At eight months old, Bea developed an autoimmune disease that destroys her red blood cells. This resulted in an emergency blood transfusion on a Friday night in July. Thankfully, her condition is well-managed, but it will always keep us on our toes.

Eloise is my only healthy pet! This gorgeous lady, her brother Elliott, and her sister Eleanor entered my life in March 2013, the day after they were born. I dubbed them my "E Kittens," electing to hand-raise them after their mom no longer could. Elliott and Eleanor were born with hydrocephalus (a build-up of spinal fluid on the brain), which lead Eleanor to cross the Rainbow Bridge at six weeks old. Elliott and Eloise were double-trouble until the moment he passed. From kittenhood, Eloise has been my sidekick, always by my side purring and making the best biscuits!

While I do not condone breeding wild animals for photo opportunities, this moment at a wildlife sanctuary was a dream come true. I would give my husband's left arm to own a tiger. Alas, I know it is neither safe nor ethical. But let's face it,  dreams don't have to be reasonable!