I am a caregiver by nature, someone who is at ease opening up to others and providing for their needs - listening, encouraging, and supporting. These qualities were developed in my childhood, growing up in a supportive and tight community and family.

My twin sister, Hannah, and I grew up in the South Toe River Valley near the community of Celo in Western North Carolina. Our father is a glassblower and our mother is a photographer and Montessori teacher. Our parents were drawn to Western North Carolina by Penland School of Crafts, and settled nearby. In many ways, my childhood was magical and lovely – amazing parents, beautiful surroundings, constant playmate, close-knit community, creativity, good food, and stimulating conversation.

I earned a BA in Latin American Studies from Carleton College in Northfield MN, and an MAA in Applied Anthropology from the University of MD, College Park. I have studied and traveled in many parts of the world: Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Japan, Italy, and France. In between college and grad school, I worked with an AmeriCorps program in Asheville, tutoring elementary and middle school students in reading, ESL, and math. In 2005, I started teaching as an adjunct at UNC-Asheville and ABTech Community College.

My husband, Damon, and I have been married since 2005. He is a physical therapist and wonderful husband and father. Our son, Oscar, was born in January of 2007, and is the light of our lives. After Oscar’s birth, I was “doula-ed” in a way that I try to emulate in the services I provide. My mother and sister both attended the birth and then lived with us for the first week of Oscar’s life – taking care of everything around the house, and me, so that I could focus on my new baby and the new skills I was learning.

My journey to becoming a postpartum doula has been a delightful one. When I became pregnant, I started reading everything I could about parenting, particularly how other cultures raise their children. I developed and taught an Anthropology course at UNCA called “Cultures of Childrearing.” Through the research I did for this class and my own experience, I have learned that many other societies recognize and support the transition new families go through much more than we do in the US. I wanted to find a way to fill the void in my community, and while looking for jobs that fit my interests and skills, I found out about postpartum doulas. I trained and completed DONA certification in 2009.

So here I am now…My family and community continue to be important to me. I still teach a class now and then. I make jewelry and cakes (see the link to my other ventures). I support other families as they continue their journey with a new member. After all the schooling I have been through, I find my son to be my greatest teacher. After all the traveling I have done, I find parenting to be my most wonderful adventure.