So, I wanted to give you a little more of my background, my story. I had a very normal childhood for the most part. Thankfully, I grew up in church and was saved at the age of five. Shortly after that, I got an auto immune disease that affected my appearance. It wasn’t easy growing up in a world so focused on appearance, with something that was very obviously different. I went through some bullying, and in middle school, there is that super self-conscious stage and my disease just heightened these very common feelings.
But I relied on the Lord from a very young age. When I had a problem, I could always go to my mom, but I knew I could go to God as well. I’m very thankful for both of these sources of strength and hope in my life. I had a very close relationship with my dad too, where laughter – hard, knee-slapping laughter – was a part of every single day. I had the joy of the Lord, and just the happiness of a light-hearted environment.
I feel part of my reflective nature is just personality, but a lot of it comes from going through this trial. I believe it helped develop even stronger sensitivity and compassion towards others, and for that, I am truly thankful. I’d rather know how to rejoice with others and weep with others in a deep way than to have grown up normal. I believe brokenness is beautiful. I believe different is beautiful. And I love to see the unique qualities in each and every person. There are still issues that linger from my disease, but I really am thankful for this trial and others that have drawn me to the arms of God and grown me in character. And He has been so patient with me as He helps me to grow.
I had a love of writing from the very beginning. It was the first academic subject I really got affirmation for in school. I loved to write poetry and songs when I was younger, and it was a great way to release emotions. After graduating college with a BA in English Literature, I married my best friend, Ryan. On our wedding day, I walked down the aisle to a song I wrote for him. After starting to have children, this is when I found my home in picture books. I love simplicity, especially when something meaningful is portrayed in a very simple way. There is such beauty in that. Pure silliness is great too. And each book I got to read to my little ones as I cuddled them close was so magical to me. In my life, the connection and bond I have felt from reading books to my kids has been my favorite part of parenting.