Introducing Jennifer! 

:: Down With Detroit ::

Born and raised in Detroit, I was the youngest of three and the only girl.  My parents, married 47 years, met as teenagers in their neighborhood in Northwest Detroit.  Their love story is certainly one for the books.  My amazing Dad was a Detroit Firefighter who retired as Captain. My Mom always has, and continues to be, the strength of our family. 

Adam, my husband of nearly 18 years, is also an original Detroiter.  He too was one of three, sandwiched between a sister and a brother. His wonderful parents will be married 50 years in June, and spent a significant amount of their child-raising years in North Rosedale Park, a great family neighborhood within the city.  Although retired now, my Father-In-Law worked hard defusing bombs as a Sergeant for the Detroit Police Department, while my Mother-In-Law continues her career as a nurse in Dearborn today.

Detroit is definitely where our roots are, but there’s plenty more to our story.

:: My Life ::

Adam and I met at 19.  We began as a bit of a cliché—he a cook and I a waitress.  We worked for a restaurant in Livonia, The Family Buggy.  It really was a gem.  We made lifelong friends there, and weren’t the only employee wedding.

We spent our twenties working and going to school.  After about five years of dating, we married in 1999, and moved into our first apartment in Westland.  We spent another five years being a couple; having date nights, hanging out with friends and taking weekend trips. We were living it up! Somewhere in the midst, we both earned our Bachelor’s Degrees from University of Michigan (Go Blue!)–mine in Communications and Adam’s in Biochemistry.  I then worked in Marketing, and Adam worked as an ER Tech in Detroit at Henry Ford Hospital.

Life really was good, but something was missing.  People asked ALL THE TIME, “Aren’t you guys trying?”  This question is still cringeworthy.  Adam’s famous response was simply, “We’re practicing.”  What could they say??  Finally, one day we decided to “practice” with a purpose.  Thankfully for us, in 2004 and less than a year later, our first son Jackson was born.

It became clear we needed more space.  We found a three-bedroom bungalow in Redford, and to us, it was perfect (even though every window in the house had to be replaced!).  We moved in two weeks before Jackson was born, and had no idea we’d eventually bring home two more beautiful baby boys–Alex & James.

I never went back to my Marketing job after we moved in.  I was nine months pregnant and had a VERY long list of things to do!  I contemplated our plan during my maternity leave, but ultimately we decided together I would become a SAHM.  Adam began an online Nursing program, and passed his boards two weeks after Alex was born. 

I will not say those days were easy, as when I quit my job we struggled financially and it was definitely our marriage low-point.  But, I will say I have zero regrets.  This was and still is, the obvious and best choice for us.  Somehow, with God’s grace and family support, we’ve made it work.  And honestly, the longer we’re married, the better it gets.

:: Babies and Beyond ::

The baby days are now behind us!  Jackson is approaching 13 (eek!), Alex a sporty 10 & James is 7 with a heart of gold.  Adam is very settled in his career as an ER Charge Nurse (still at Henry Ford), working the afternoon shift.  We completed our family over two years ago when we rescued our feisty, yet lovable cat, that the boys named Bowser. Yes, another boy! 

After almost 13 years and countless memories, this past November we moved our family to Livonia, the city where we met.  We have more space inside and out, and we love the community and schools.  Family time is everything to us. We love going to the boy’s games & band concerts, summer camping, and when Michigan weather allows, getting ice cream at the local Dairy Barn.

As for me, this family is my purpose.  I spend my days navigating life as a BoyMom, carting kids around, and keeping our lives afloat. 

A few years ago, I went running and it changed my life.  Never an athlete and a Mom in her 40s, running has opened my eyes to what I am physically capable of.  With my family cheering me on, I’ve participated in a 5K, 10K, and twice the Detroit Free Press Marathon—both the Five Person Relay-Marathon & the International Half-Marathon. 

When it’s warm you may find me running on Six Mile Road, but it’s hard for me to brave the elements on cold winter days!  So, most mornings I’m happily running the track at the Livonia Community Recreation Center.  My goal is to train for another half-marathon this year.

I really am a normal (most days!) mom, with good days and bad, walking cautiously towards mid-life (did I really say that?).  I love all these guys in my life, my family & friends, books, coffee & wine, and a good binge-watch!  But, at some point it is okay to acknowledge you’re craving a little more–and that’s me.  Thankfully, in came DMB!  I am excited to join this amazing tribe, to begin this next chapter and evolve my story.  Will you join me?