I am a daugher. I am a daughter to two wonderful parents who love me unconditionally and support me in every single crazy dream I've ever had. They have held me when I cried, they've supported me when I failed, and they've been there to cheer me on when I succeed. My parents are divorced. It's real… and it happened when I didn't want it to. But it's apart of who I am…..but It does not define me. I'm really lucky to have them
I am a sister to a really cool brother. He's really passionate……….. we are both really passionate. If you can imagine we are a handful for my parents 😉 But I'd take a passionate and inspiring brother like him any day! Hes brilliant with music and using his brain to make sense of the world. I'm blessed to be his sister.
I am a granddaughter to the most incredible grandparents you could ever imagine. There is nothing that I love more than them. You know how when you love something or someone so much that you can't put it into words? I've tried my whole life to figure out words or gestures or SOMETHING to explain my love for them……… but it's impossible. I am who I am because of their love.
I also have my Grandma Fristad who is the cutest little lady you've ever seen. She's 85 and she still gives back to others like you wouldn't believe. She can quilt like there is no tomorrow, and donates her quilts to children in the childrens hospital. Shes a saint…. I just love her so much.
I am a dancer. I've danced since I learned to walk. I grew up dancing in a studio, and then discovered dance team when I went to High School. Dance has taught me more about life than anything else I've ever been apart of. I still cherish the memories I made being apart of the Sartell Sabre Dance team, and I will forever. I learned to dance like a champion after qualifying for the Minnesota State Dance Team tournament 4 years in a row. I learned dicipline, teamwork, dedication and passion, and what it means to love something with your whole heart. I was blessed to be on my college dance team as well and go to Nationals in Florida with my team. I still dance my way through life….. LITERALLY. It's not rare to find me tapping in the isle of the grocery store or washing dishes in first position 🙂
I am a friend. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for my friends. When my friends are hurting, I'm hurting. When my friends are happy, I'm happy. I truly cherish friendship and the joy it brings me in my life. I have friends of all ages that all have impacted my life in some way. I love the moments when you laugh until you fall to the ground and feel a six pack coming on. Those are the moments that make me so grateful for ALL the friends I have from all over the WORLD.
I am a Founder and Director of a non profit organization. In 2009 after I graduated from High School I came to a point where I just wasn't satisfied with being "comfortable' with my life anymore. I knew that God had something bigger for me. Firefleyes was born with an idea at 2am one morning, and has grew into something bigger than I ever imagined. Firefleyes exists to light the fire in hearts again by introducing the creative arts to children living in poverty to help inspire dreams……. dreams that will spark change. Since then I've met one of my greatest friends Regina Rigney who is also the Executive Director and my partner in crime! We've been to Sierra Leone Africa three times, and I've been to Haiti and Nicauragua as well to put Firefleyes into action. We are so blessed! To learn more you can visit www.firefleyes.org
Most of all, I'm a believer. I am a child of God and a daughter of the King. My religion is less of a theory and more of a love affair. I am head over heals in love with Jesus. I'm absolutely a sinner. I fail him daily, but I wake up everyday knowing that his mercies are new every single morning. I live in comfort knowing that Jesus fully loves and accepts me the way that I am. He's planted real passions in my heart, and it's my job to live those out for the rest of my life. I'm alive…….. I'm free.
I wear many hats. I'm a cousin, a niece, a student, a goofball, a dreamer, a servant of God, a daughter of a breast cancer survivor, a daughter of a marathon runner, a mentor, a 'sister' to two sweet girls that I love dearly, a nanny/babysitter to three beautiful children that I pretend are my own ;), and an overly passionate girl who faceplants into every crazy opportunity presented to me.
