For those of you who just started reading Tiny Twig when the 31 Days to a No Brainer Wardrobe started, I wanted to take a little time to introduce myself and tell you a bit of my story.
I was born in Indianapolis to two young and newly married parents. My parents had been dating since they were 15 years old. I think growing up I looked mostly like a tiny girl version of my dad. I have two younger brothers who were born 4 years and 10 years after my birth.
I grew up slowly in a slower time, before cell phones, before the Internet, before blogs. I loved creative writing, dreamt of being an astronaut, and adored gymnastics. However, it wasn’t long before I was 12 and I heard my dad’s words that my parents were getting a divorce. My parents were married for 14 years, as of today they’ve been divorced for 15.
My world went upside down for awhile. Parents who are figuring out new identities often aren’t wholly present for their children. There’s so much to that story, but it isn’t only my story. I am still navigating how to tell my truth, especially when it involves a tender time in another’s.
When I was 16 years old, I met a handsome young man. He taught me through his actions what forgiveness and love were. I hadn’t experienced those things in a really honest and true way before. His family became family to me. We spent the next 4 years dating.
Then, at the tender age of 20 years old (3 weeks after my 20th birthday), we made a huge promise to each other, to God, and to our friends and family. We promised to hold each other’s needs higher than our own. We promised to grow closer to God, and because of that closer to each other. We promised to build our house on the Rock, the only firm foundation.
I felt myself exhale once Husband and I got married. Stomach aches that had plagued me since I was young child diminished and then vanished. I continued to know love in a way I didn’t ever know before. Husband showed me grace, forgiveness, compassion, and joy. Together, we pursued Christ with passion. We felt like life was an adventure, and the whole world was open to us.
In the next chapter, we move across the country twice. We have 3 kids. We own 2 houses. We have adventures big and small. All of that in just 6 years.