Love Laughter, and a Whole Lot of Life
I grew up with very loving—but very strict—parents. My dad had a work ethic that could put an entire construction crew to shame. He spent more than 30 years as a long-haul truck driver, hauling freight across America in every kind of weather, eating at truck-stop diners more times than anyone should in one lifetime, and somehow never once complained. My mom was the definition of selfless; she always put her family first, even when we didn’t always make it easy.
I got married at 25 and instantly became a mom overnight. No warm-up, no tutorial, no “Parenting for Beginners” guide—just poof, instant family. I have two step-kids, three biological kids, and several grandkids who keep me laughing, praying, and occasionally wondering how we all survive family group texts.
Family relationships can be wonderful, difficult, joyful, messy, hurtful, and absolutely amazing—sometimes all in the same week. We’ve been through a lot together. Some moments you treasure, others you learn from, and some you laugh about later… way later. But through it all, love (and a good sense of humor) has kept us going.