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

​The most rewarding part of motherhood is witnessing my children’s resilience and pure love. It’s watching my 17-year-old daughter, Kyla, overcome her father’s abandonment to pursue her dream of becoming a dentist. Simultaneously, it’s the profound connection with my 9-year-old son, Kasen. Though his journey with autism and ADHD is often draining, his unconditional love is my greatest reward. Being the "safe harbor" for their vastly different paths is my life’s highest honor.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Motherhood has taught me that resilience is a quiet, daily choice. It’s the strength to help my daughter, Kyla, turn the pain of abandonment into the ambition to become a dentist. It’s also the patience required to navigate the beautiful, often exhausting world of my son Kasen’s autism and ADHD. I’ve learned that "success" isn’t just about big milestones; it’s found in the unconditional love that refills my cup when I’m running on empty. It taught me that my heart is far bigger than I knew.

What would you do with $20,000?

​This $20k would fund a soul-recharging "victory lap" before my daughter Kyla heads to college. Navigating my son Kasen’s autism and ADHD is a beautiful but constant devotion that leaves little room for extra. This prize would remove every financial barrier, allowing us to access a high-support, "magic" getaway where we can simply focus on connection. It’s not just a trip; it’s a necessary reset for a family that has turned every hardship into a reason to grow closer.