Age: 52
Relationship Status: married
Occupation: teacher
Astrological Sign: Aquarius
Age: 52
What is the most important part of your daily routine?
I have anxiety, and my brain is always spinning - so I love to sit down for 10 minutes every day and do all of the NYT puzzles. Wordle, Connections, Strands - I love them all! The added bonus is a quiet mind while I solve the puzzles.
What is your current happiness most dependent on?
Both my husband and my daughter face serious health challenges—my husband with leukemia and my daughter with a rare autoimmune disease that caused an acquired brain injury along with other physical issues. My happiness is deeply tied to how they’re doing. Their health has not been fully stable over the last seven years; my emotional state often swings like a pendulum, mirroring their ups and downs. Despite the uncertainty, I’ve learned to seek out small moments of joy each day. Today, for instance, I took my dog on a hike. The snow sparkled like diamonds, and the world was soft and quiet. In that moment, I felt a deep sense of happiness.
What do you wish you were less reliant on?
I wish I were less reliant on my phone. I use it as a distraction, and I know that it isn’t healthy.
When do you question yourself?
I question myself every day. I always worry that I am not doing a good enough job as a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, or a teacher.
What is something that has positively impacted how you perceive your self-worth?
Life hasn’t been easy. From losing a parent at a young age to surviving a sexual assault and then facing the challenges of a critically ill child and a husband battling leukemia, I’ve been tested in ways I never imagined. Yet, I have made it through without completely falling apart. There were dark moments, but I’ve weathered every curveball life has thrown my way. Through it all, I’ve discovered that I am strong, resilient, and capable.
What is something you have forgiven yourself for?
I’m still working on this. I tend to be my harshest critic, and I have to remind myself to show grace, knowing I’ve always done my best. Some days, I’ve been a rock star, and other days, I’ve been a little less polished—but I am always trying.
What is something you have forgiven someone else for?
I’ve forgiven my parents. They were abusive when I was growing up, but over time, I’ve come to understand that they were carrying their own traumas and doing the best they could with what they had. It doesn’t excuse the harm but has allowed me to forgive. I am proud to say that I broke the cycle of abuse. My children grew up in a much healthier and happier household.
How do you ground/center yourself?
Hiking with my dog. I live in an amazing area with lakes and forests. I take in everything—the smells, the sounds, the peace of it all. And sometimes, I need to have a good cry.
What is one thing that helped you through your most difficult time?
Knowing that as hellish as it is in that moment, I will get through it. Accepting that life has the best highs and the worst lows sometimes, and they both won’t last so you have to ride it out.
Have you ever felt like the best version of yourself? When?
Maybe not the best version of myself, but I feel my most authentic version of myself in quiet moments, like hiking or sitting on the beach watching the waves and simply allowing myself to just "be." I’m not trying to be anything other than myself.
What is something you fundamentally disagree with?
There are so many! But right now, I would say that I fundamentally disagree with the existence of billionaires, whose wealth often comes at the expense of the broader society.
I also fundamentally disagree with men making decisions about women’s bodily autonomy.
What is something you know for sure?
I know for sure that change is constant. No matter how stable or chaotic life may seem, everything evolves—whether it’s our circumstances, emotions, or even our understanding of the world. Time keeps moving forward, and nothing stays the same forever.
What are three of your non-negotiables in romantic relationships?
1. Honesty
2. Trustworthiness
3. A sense of humor
When do you feel most comfortable in your own skin?
I’ve struggled with eating disorders and have never fully felt at ease in my own skin. However, since turning 50, I’ve started to care less about societal expectations and more about embracing who I am. It feels like I’m finally letting go of the pressure to be something I’m not.
Have you ever been in awe of something/someone? When?
I teach science to middle school students, and I am in awe of life's sheer interconnectedness. How a single act of kindness can ripple outward or how nature’s balance is maintained despite so many variables—it’s humbling to realize how we’re all part of something much greater than ourselves.
What is the best (physical/material) gift you have ever received?
My children. I was told I couldn’t have kids and had come to terms with it, just living my life. So, when I discovered I was pregnant with my daughter, it was a complete surprise. As the saying goes, they were a gift I never knew I needed, but now I can’t imagine life without them.
What is one thing you wish you had said ‘yes’ to in the past?
When I was in my early 20s, my friend was driving across the U.S. to California for the summer. Her dad had a friend there who offered us a place to stay and gave us internships on a TV show. I was too scared to go. My friend took the leap, and now she’s successful in the industry. Looking back, I wish I’d been braver. There are many moments like that in my life where fear ultimately dictated my choices. I’m much braver now, and I say yes to the things I want to do. Even when fear creeps up, I refuse to let it govern my decisions.
What is one thing you will always say ‘no’ to in the future?
I now always say no to doing things I don’t want to do. For too long, I said yes to make others happy, even at the cost of my own happiness. Not anymore! If I want to do something, I’m all in! If I’m not interested, it’s no - without justification.
What do you believe is your most attractive quality?
I am deeply empathetic and can often feel the emotions of others. I try always to be sensitive and supportive, knowing that everyone is facing their own struggles. I never want anyone to feel alone in their battle.
What/who do you want to be when you grow up?
I aspire to be like those older women who wear purple, red, and big floppy hats and don’t care what anyone thinks. They embody a freedom and confidence I admire; living life unapologetically.
BONUS: Tell me something good.
Even with all of her health challenges, my daughter graduated from university on the Dean’s list and is now applying to medical school and medical master’s programs. She is a warrior and I could not be more proud of her.
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