Hi! My name is Kate. I’m a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom. Over the last few years, I’ve gotten more comfortable with the word “hobby”. I’ve grown a small list of activities that bring me joy. At the top of the list just might be playing basketball in my driveway. A few years ago, I rediscovered how much I loved playing (just for fun!) and dreamt of rekindling that passion in my own backyard. Earlier this year, I treated myself to a hoop that now sits kitty-corner from my garage. When I’m not on my make-shift court, I’m in my kitchen baking or recreating a recipe from the NYT Cooking collection. Recently, I made a quiche that I think would have even made my Grandma proud. Some of my favorite things are coffee, comedies, the beach, french fries, and funny people.
Interests & Passions
It feels like even at 32, I’m still discovering all that I’m passionate about. Oddly, that doesn’t make me feel like “I’m late to the game”. It feels good! So far, I’ve found a deep passion for mental health, storytelling, and helping others. Interview-based podcasts help to fuel that passion, and I could binge “Armchair Expert” all day if given the chance. I’m good at listening, crafting a relatable story, and making a vision of mine happen.
Me-Time
Like most moms, I’m not great at putting myself first. My last pregnancy and postpartum period really sort of jolted me out of my own status quo. I had to learn how to find myself, like myself, and spend time with myself. (Enter basketball hoop.) I’m still learning. I see a psychologist every two weeks who helps me connect to my inner-self, a practice I probably would have largely laughed at 10 years ago. It’s been, and is, the process of a lifetime. I’m so grateful. With student loans, kids, and a mortgage, it’s not always easy (okay, never) to say, “I’m going to treat myself to this.” But I’ve learned that saying these words is not a luxury. It is a key to living a peaceful, connected, and authentic life. Some of my most valued me-time is when I go for a walk with my best friend of 31 years. She knows how to turn a walk into a real party.
Family
My kids are the reason for putting me on this journey of self-discovery, and for that I’ll forever be grateful. I have three little ones – Ella (7), Archie (5) and Everley (2). My youngest Everley is asking if she can drive the car yet, so that gives you an idea of what I’m working with here. They are centered and fearless and love to laugh and play. I’m so lucky to call them mine.
Where I Came From
My husband (Tim), also known as my college sweetheart, and I started our family in California after we graduated from a San Diego college, but not all of it began out there for me. I was born and raised in Berkley, a suburb of Metro Detroit. At 19, after finishing the last two years of high school on my own, I hopped on my first-ever plane ride and flew out to San Diego to pursue a degree in Journalism. My husband landed a job with a game studio there, so we decided to call ourselves Californians until 2015 when we moved to Vancouver, Washington to be closer to family.
What We Love About Detroit
2016 brought us home to Michigan in the Metro Detroit area. Even though all three of my kids were born in different states, I think it’s safe to say we’re all true Michiganders by now (even though my oldest is a Packers fan). There are so many things we love about living in Metro Detroit—the people, for one! There’s no one out there like a Detroiter. We just love to love on our city, from visiting our favorite baristas at Birmingham Roast and Sabbath Coffee Roasters, to picking up Sunday brunch from Coco Fairfields in Berkley, to going for a long stroll at Stony Creek, the six of us (can’t forget our pup Luna!) like to pile in our Traverse and spend family time in a place we worked so hard to move to.
Why I’m Excited to Be a Part of Detroit Mom
My motherhood journey has been rewarding beyond what I could have ever imagined, but with that has come challenges of a magnitude that I thought would shatter me. I’ve survived Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety twice, antidepressant withdrawal, Panic Disorder, and suicidal ideation – all illnesses that were brought on by the overwhelming demands of motherhood and pregnancy. So I’m honored to be a part of a community that promotes connectedness and authentic relationships in motherhood. I particularly understand how vital this is to a mom’s well-being and happiness. While the topics are heavy, I’m eager to talk about ways in which women, especially moms, can find true paths to healing. After living in different states, having different working situations in our home, and my kids starting school-time, I’m also excited to talk about transitional phases in motherhood and ways we can find joy where we currently are.
