In an Instant—Everything Changed

Some moments in life hit with such force that everything—priorities, dreams, even daily routines—rearranges overnight. For me, entering my late 30s and early 40s, that saying, "you don't know what you don't know" became a subtle mantra, echoing through all the chapters that unfolded.

Learning By Living

There are times I wish I'd understood more or been better prepared, but life's curveballs are invisible up close. Eventually, experience becomes your teacher, and now I work every day to help my children become a little more aware—to give them the tools I didn't have as change seems to speed up with every new day.

Becoming an Artist and Independent Woman

After college, I set out to be independent. My art became my side hustle—a way to add color, both creatively and financially, to my world. My marital journey started in my 30s, hoping for that balance: time with my husband, time for my creative side, and the hope that growing our family would come easy at 34. It didn't, and a year later, Buffalo IVF became our second home.

IVF: A Journey of Highs, Lows, and Healing

IVF brought heartache, surgery, scary moments, countless doctor visits, and the daily grind of medicines and endometriosis. Priorities shifted—less about what was missing, more about what I held dear. Our first son arrived, and my world was lighter, filled with new gratitude.

But the road wasn't over. Back to IVF I went—older, wiser, and yet so much more frustrated with the process. Every shot, every dollar, and every failed cycle stung. After a year, the miracle of a second pregnancy came—and it was anything but easy. Baby boy two challenged me in every way, physically and mentally. There were bedrest months, NICU worries, and struggles that changed my body forever.

Yet, out of that chaos came connection: my art now hangs in the Mother Baby Unit at Sisters Hospital, a testament to renewal and gratitude for the sisters and NICU team who cared so deeply.

Rediscovering Purpose and Building New Dreams

After Casey, recovery was slow. A hysterectomy in February 2025 was a turning point. As I write this, I feel whole again—my priorities, my health, my dreams are back on track. I rediscovered my passion for lead generation and spend my days helping businesses grow, whether through events, residential listings, or commercial real estate. My love for Buffalo, art, and our local sports feeds my creative side, especially through banner painting and design.

Investing in Our Future

One of the brightest chapters is our new "home away from home"—an Airbnb investment in Ellicottville, NY, together with my husband. It's our little family adventure into hospitality, combining my skills in content creation and marketing with a love for creating welcoming spaces.

Closing Thoughts

If things feel overwhelming, confusing, or out of place, take a step back—return to basics. Give yourself time and space to heal and recalibrate. For anyone wrestling with change, infertility, or uncertainty, remember: take care of yourself first. Sometimes, the greatest joys come from the hardest journeys and the willingness to keep growing.

Ready to explore? Browse my art collection, join an upcoming workshop, or reach out about custom banner art for your next event. Let's create something beautiful together.