Meet Joy
It really wasn’t supposed to be this way.
But God has used every bit of my story.
Hello there, I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m a stepmom (bonus mom) to two incredible humans, a wife to my favorite man, and a woman who’s learning every day that we were never meant to carry hard things alone. Above all, I’m God’s daughter, learning to trust Him right in the middle of real life — not the “have it all together” version, but the “messy yet beautiful” kind.
My blended family journey began in 2018, when I started dating my now-husband. Like many women, my dream of marriage and family didn’t unfold the way I always imagined. But this was God’s story for my life. I did not expect how much grief, growth and grace would be woven into my story. There have been many joys, trials, gut wrenching heartache, peace, and heartwarming experiences through the blending of this family.
One thing I found to be true - even good things can come with unexpected loss.
When I got married, I didn’t just become a wife — I became a stepmom overnight, stepping into motherhood for the first time without the shared history or biological connection — and feeling both deep love and an unexpected heartache I didn’t know how to name.
I loved them deeply —
But I still felt overwhelmed.
I was grateful, yet grieving.
I was strong and I was undone.
Some days I held it together. Other days I attempted to hold back tears while having family dinner (not always successful).
I remember thinking, “Why is this so much harder than I expected — and why did no one warn me?”
Even with my background in child development and years of experience working with children and families — from preschools to supporting students with ASD to serving over a decade as a school counselor — I still struggled.
It’s different when you’re the one living it.
No training prepares your heart for the quiet grief, the invisible role, or the loneliness that can sneak in.
To find my footing, I leaned into God - even while wrestling with His goodness - and my husband, as he did his best to understand. Through counseling, and the grace of honest friendships with bio-moms and fellow stepmoms, I finally found the truth I needed: I wasn’t failing — I was just being human.
What I needed wasn’t more information.
I needed support.
I needed safe people.
I needed other women who understood without me having to explain everything.
I needed community.
Slowly, healing began over time.
God planted a new dream in my heart: “Create the space you once needed.”
A place where stepmoms can exhale.
A place to be seen and heard.
A place to work through grief and control without guilt or shame.
A place rooted in faith, honesty, and sisterhood.
That’s why this exists. Not because I have all the answers. I don’t. I’m still learning, still growing, still dealing with feelings.
With years of lived experience, counseling training, and a deep love for the stepmom community; I walk alongside women navigating the brave, complicated work of blended family life. My passion is to help you reclaim a stronger sense of self, so you can show up more fully for your life, marriage and family.
And I believe healing happens faster when we are in like-minded community.
If you’re tired…
If you feel unseen…
If you’ve ever ugly cried…
You’re in the right place.
There’s a seat for you here.
And I’d be honored to walk this journey with you.