In reflecting on my journey, I realize that the pursuit of freedom has been a significant theme in my life. Expanding from childhood escapades to adult choices, this quest has shaped my understanding of self-discovery and belonging.

People flinch when I say how old my kids are, like I’ve got monsters at home. But my kids talk to me. That isn’t luck — it’s intention, born from studying my parents’ mistakes and my own. I made plenty of them when they were little. Their reactions were the mirror that showed me who I didn’t want to be — and where I could choose repair. ✨

Growth isn’t about pretending the hard things didn’t happen. It’s about letting them shape you without dimming your light — a reminder sparked while hosting my daughter’s birthday party and watching kids be so unapologetically themselves.

I wore masks long before I ever stepped on stage. They were invisible, yet heavy. I learned to smile, keep the story moving, and hit my...