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

The most rewarding part is seeing the love you've poured into your child reflected back to themselves, you, and the world around them. It always makes my heart leap with joy when I hear my daughter echoing something positive I've said to her, like when she looks in the mirror and says to herself, "I'm so beautiful!" Or when I'm feeling stressed and don't even know she's watching, but then she asks, "Are you sad, mama? Want a hug?" I know I'm raising confident, empathetic humans.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

To keep relationships my biggest priority in life. It’s a lot to juggle the busyness of being a spouse, parent, student, nurse, friend, and community member, but when put into perspective, a lot of life’s stressors aren’t really important. As a parent who has spent many nights in the emergency room with my daughter who has asthma, and as I start my career as a pediatric nurse, I come home and hug my loved ones extra tight because they are the most important thing in the world to me.

What would you do with $20,000?

$15,000 would go towards establishing a 6-month emergency fund and investing in my kids 529 education accounts. I had the opportunity to attend an incredible nursing program which I completed with a 3.96 GPA; However, being a full-time student placed a lot of financial strain on my family, despite my husband and I juggling multiple jobs. I commit to giving the remaining $5,000 to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to advocate for policies that improve air quality in cities in the U.S.