Welcome to the Growing Woman

Some beginnings are born from celebration.
Others are born from collapse.
This one began with my life falling apart—and God meeting me right there.

Thank you—sincerely—to everyone who has chosen to follow me. Welcome to the Growing Woman blog. I know many of you may be wondering how I arrived here, so let me begin with the truth.

My fiancé and I broke up.

I was left picking up pieces—shattered, wounded, and unsure of what was next. But in that broken place, God met me. I began the work of mending myself back together, and this… this is where He brought me.

My Father is so good—so good—that He doesn’t just restore us back to what we once were. He restores us to something greater than we ever knew restoration could be. That is exactly what He did for me. He brought me into the Growing Woman experience.

So let me take you back for a moment.

I got married at 30 years old to my first husband. Looking back, I can say honestly that I entered marriage prematurely—not because of age, but because of understanding. I didn’t yet have a clear revelation of what marriage truly requires. There were so many things I wish I had known, so many things I wish I had seen modeled.

I was raised in a two-parent home. My parents were loving and did the very best they could. Still, there were things I didn’t see. I didn’t witness conflict, disagreement, or the difficult work of reconciliation. My father was retired, my mother worked, and there was a significant age gap between them. From the outside, things appeared peaceful—but perspective was missing.

Marriage, I learned, isn’t about the white dress, the wedding day, or the reception afterward. It’s about the foundation. And that foundation was what I lacked. I also had to face another hard truth—my choice wasn’t the best. My selection was off. Period.

Even so, God’s grace met me there.

From that marriage came two beautiful children, and for them I am eternally grateful. They are healthy, wise, and filled with beautiful spirits. They have watched me live—grow, stumble, cry, scream, laugh, giggle, and keep walking forward. I’ve shared some parts of my journey with them and protected them from others, but as they grow older and begin to see life through a young adult’s lens, I’ve been able to open up more. I do so intentionally—to prepare them.

One of the things I wish my parents had shared with me was this simple truth: they didn’t always get it right.

That honesty would have removed so much shame when I didn’t get it right. And so I give that gift to my children now. I tell them plainly, “Your mom didn’t always get it right. But I walked through these things so you wouldn’t have to.”

I learned from my mistakes—now you can learn from them too.

So to the mothers and fathers carrying shame because you didn’t do everything “right,” hear me. Whether you gave up your virginity before marriage, had children out of wedlock, made decisions you regret, or even had an abortion—do not let shame weigh you down. Give it to God. Lift your head. Keep walking.

Be a growing woman.

You walked through some things so your children—and your children’s children—wouldn’t have to. There is purpose in your experience. There is ministry in your story. I wouldn’t even be having this conversation with you if my journey hadn’t led me here.

As I begin to open my life to you and share the things I’ve lived through, my prayer is that you begin to release the shame… the rejection… the loneliness… the hurt… the bitterness.

Let it go.

Be free.

Get light—light as a feather. Give it all to God. Hold your head high. Dream again. Live fully. Enjoy life.

No one is here to judge you. We are all growing. And we are walking this journey together.

A Growing Woman Affirmation

Today, I choose growth over guilt.
I release what broke me and receive what is building me.
I am not disqualified by my past—I am defined by my healing.
I walk forward with wisdom, grace, and courage.
I am becoming.
I am learning.
I am whole.
I am a Growing Woman.