My journey into birth work was not a direct one. I first began with a career in education, teaching both at the elementary and middle school levels for a few years. Then I had children and was a stay at home mom for over a decade. My first two sons were born in the hospital, unmedicated. I wanted something different for my third baby and learned about a local birth center. I had my third son and my only daughter there. I loved my out of hospital experience so much! When I was younger, I had the opportunity to see two of my cousins being born. Those memories combined with my out of hospital births ignited a passion for birth work. In 2018, I became a doula and then a birth assistant. In 2019, I enrolled in midwifery school. Midwifery is both my passion and ministry and I truly feel that God has led me to this calling. It is an honor and a joy to witness mothers growing throughout their pregnancies in so many way and to watch new life come into this world. I never take it for granted.
On a personal note, I live on property in North Fort Myers with my family. My oldest son, Jakob, recently left for the University of Florida where he is studying Mechanical Engineering. My son, Kaeden, plays football and lacrosse, and both the violin and trombone. He enjoys playing violin and singing on the worship team at church. My son, Greyson, is an avid soccer player and is on a travel team. My daughter, Joella (“Joey” - I was a huge Dawson’s Creek fan when I was younger), loves horses and also wants to be a midwife when she grows up. She was an amazing assistant at our friend’s birth earlier this year! We have a mini golden doodle named Violet, a Corn Snake, a Cuban Knight Anole, fish, and more chickens than I can count. The number keeps growing! I enjoy collecting plants and am slowly learning to keep them alive. I hate to cook but love to bake and have a thriving sourdough starter, thanks to my mom’s persistent text messages and how-to videos. I love music and never tire of going to concerts. I am an introvert, so as much as I love spending time with people, I always need to recharge quietly on my own and am blessed to have the perfect country home in which to do that.