Before Breast Cancer

In 2009, I signed up for the 60km Weekend to End Breast Cancer. I spent a few months training, fundraising and ultimately feeling like I was a better person for contributing to an issue that didn't REALLY affect me on a personal level. I had just turned 20, and my daughter, Olivia, was the cutest little toddler at the finish line (she even showed up in pajamas!).

That weekend, I walked past hundreds of women who had beaten breast cancer. I met fighters, survivors, and the people who loved them and chose to walk alongside them for a cause bigger than them.

In the past 10 years since that inspiring experience, I’ve gone to college and started building my dream career as a graphic designer and marketing professional. I welcomed my son Jack in 2014 and started to create community throughout the small business community.

Going through the past few years with some great wins, and some large challenges (including a fairly traumatic divorce and the years that have followed) I met Matt in 2019 and have been enjoying building a life with him and our little blended family. It has been an absolute game changer to have a strong man in our lives who is equally invested in my children and building a great life together. I honestly do not have words for how supportive he has been.

This past holiday season, we were overjoyed to welcome Charlee Jean to our family on Christmas Morning. I took a whopping 2 weeks off work and then continued to work toward a great balance between my family and my career. After a few months of working full time with the baby, Matt went on paternity leave and has been for the summer as the primary parent while my freelance career allowed me more time to spend with my family and our growing children during the day.

This May, we moved to Cambridge to be close to our friends and to find a home that fit our busy family. We have finally found our groove in our new community and the kids have made new friends, and are excited for new schools in the fall.