Who am I?

I’m not very clever with bios, and the truth is that answering this question is difficult on so many levels. But before I launch into a metaphysical wormhole, let’s just cover the basics.

I live in Utah, which is a beautiful place. I had no interest in moving here twenty years ago when my husband suggested we think about it, but it soon became obvious that this was the path for us, and there really was no use in arguing the point. Salt Lake City surprised me with its urban feel and quaint neighborhood pockets, its staggering beauty (nestled between the abrupt Wasatch Front and the other-worldly Great Salt Lake), and its people. I had suspected a more predominant religious culture, but soon discovered a hodge-podge of areligious, once-religious, currently religious, and anti-religious communities within the community. 

I feel at home.

My husband and I have raised—are still raising I suppose—three fantastic humans (no longer kids, per se). I had no interest in being a mom (yes, there’s a theme here) until I was one. And even then I had no knack for it. But the kids won my heart and it became the greatest gift of my life.

I started my own floral design business a few years back. But to say “my own” might be misleading. I had no interest in doing floral work for money because I had always done it as an act of love. Once I realized that love and money can coexist and that I can still love well even as a businesswoman, the village took over. Friends helped name it. My husband claimed the name online. Another friend set up the LLC. Still another friend built my website. And others gave up-front money to get the ball rolling. So it’s “our” business, and I’m pretty happy about that. If you want to check it out, here’s the website: https://willowandsagefloral.com/. Or find me on instagram @willowandsagefloraldesign.

Now I can add “florist” to the list of things that would have embarrassed my twenty-something self: “minivan driver,” “pastor’s wife,” “stay-at-home-mom.” Certainly not the life I’d imagined (climbing peaks, living with sherpas, burying myself in books, staying thin and fit and free). Absolutely the life I was made to live – and far better than anything I could have dreamed.

Who knew?

Oh, and I’m a creative– which basically means I’m messy. I keep things that are really neat and that I think might come in handy “someday”– which is a trait my equally creative kids have come to depend upon; they love to rifle through the closets and shelves. Who knows where a random box of metal clips or paper birds or wooden pegs might be?

Other than all that, I like to write, to read, to hike, and to be with people. And I do love God, with my whole heart. 

(Check out the other tabs for more on those topics.)