Connect What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

The most rewarding part of being a mom is looking at my kids and knowing they are happy, healthy, and safe—this is what I pray for and in my opinion, what truly matters most. I love being their protector, but also their inspiration to be brave, explore and challenge themselves. We teach kindness, respect, and how to be a good friend, and seeing that already shine through my 2.5-year-old in simple daily interactions makes me incredibly proud and reminds me to look at the world through their lens.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Motherhood has transformed me in ways I never expected. It’s taught me that it’s okay if my journey doesn’t match what I see online—what matters is doing what’s right for my family. I’ve learned to embrace the hard days, because they don’t mean failure and usually provide growth. They make the good moments even more meaningful and remind me how powerful a child’s love truly is. Lastly, motherhood has taught me how resilient I am, has helped me grow as a woman and stand up for what I believe in.

What would you do with $20,000?

Easy! First, since this is about being a mom and my kids are giving me the opportunity to win this money, I would love to start a small savings for their future. We still have about $10,000 left from our NICU stay, and paying that off would take a huge weight off our shoulders. Lastly, we recently moved to the suburbs into a new construction home, and completing our landscaping would help turn it into a place our family can truly grow and make memories!