I was born in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and raised along the East Coast in a military family. Because we moved often, it was difficult to maintain long-term friendships, but I rarely had trouble making friends wherever we landed. I never really belonged to just one friend group and tended to move comfortably between different circles. Home life felt different from what I saw around me. There was structure, but also distance. I learned to adapt quickly, to stay quiet, and to pay attention. I found comfort in solitude and became someone who observed more than I spoke.

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As a child, I was shy and curious. I loved drawing and asking questions, and that curiosity has followed me into adulthood. I’m often the quiet one in the room, observing and people-watching, but I tend to come out of my shell once I feel comfortable. One memory that shaped me was a second-grade field trip to Grandfather Mountain. The swinging bridge terrified me, but I crossed it anyway. That was the day I fell in love with hiking, and with the feeling of doing something even when it scared me.​

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Family has always been complicated. My relationships with loved ones have had highs and lows. We’re closer now than we used to be, but I’ve spent much of my life figuring things out on my own. One relationship I hold especially close is with my nephew, Addison, who was born in 2018. He is the most meaningful person in my life. I would do anything for him.

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For many years, I carried the complicated absence of my biological father. He left when I was two, and while he wasn’t completely out of my life, he wasn’t present in the way either of us would have liked. That left a deep emotional impact. Over time, we’ve reconnected and built a better relationship as adults. That healing didn’t come quickly, but it matters to me. During the years when things felt heavy and uncertain, I turned to art. It became the one place I could express myself without needing words.​​

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Later, plants came into my life almost by accident. I had a natural ability to work with them, and the people around me encouraged me to pursue it seriously. That led me to run my own plant nursery, very small but it was my own that I started from the ground up and worked my butt off for every day, I even began to launch a garden lounge concept where people could enjoy a drink surrounded by thriving plants through a local brewery. It was an idea rooted in connection, atmosphere, and creativity. The project was launched but didn’t fully take off due to creative and logistical differences with my collaborators, the process taught me a lot about boundaries, vision, and protecting the integrity of my work. I eventually finished my Bachelor's degree in Horticulture Business Management in 2025. While I don’t currently work in that field, the knowledge and experience shaped me in ways I still carry.

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Today, I work as the Creative Director for North Carolina’s largest privately owned outpatient mental health facility. I originally applied for the job because it was close to home. I had no idea how much it would change my life. At the time, I was dealing with deep depression and turmoil in both my family and personal life. I poured myself into the work and believed fully in the mission of the organization. That job gave me purpose when I needed it most. It became a turning point for me.

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Art and plants have continued to be healing tools in my life. They offer stillness, clarity, and a kind of care that has always made sense to me. I especially loved working in pen and ink, but over time, arthritis made that difficult. Now, I create mostly in digital formats. I do it for myself, and sometimes for close friends, but I no longer feel pressure to share it publicly. The act of creating is what matters most.

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I live in Glenside, Pennsylvania with two dogs, Rodeo and Luna, and my two cats, Kali and Tinkerbell. My home is full of plants, pets, and half-finished craft projects. Life gets heavy, and not every day is picture-perfect. I make space for both the beauty and the mess. I spend my time watching documentaries, exploring graphic design, working on creative projects, tending to my plants, and finding joy in the small, everyday moments. I love being in nature, taking photos, listening to music, and making things with my hands. My taste in music spans nearly every genre from the 1920s to today. I say I don’t like country, but there are a handful of songs that still find their way onto my playlists.

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Right now, I am focused on slowing down. I am learning to be present, to find peace in the routine, and to stop chasing things that no longer serve me. When I say “one day at a time,” I mean accepting each moment as it comes. Not trying to control everything, not living in the past or overplanning the future, but simply doing my best with what I have in front of me.

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One day, I hope to open a botanical garden that blends education, nature, and healing. But even if that dream changes, I know I’ll keep creating a life that feels honest. A life rooted in care, curiosity, and quiet strength.

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