Okay 😳🥹… I have to share this because I’m sitting in a hotel room far away from home, holding a cupcake, crying and still kind of processing it.

This weekend a stranger gave me what might be the most humbling speaking compliment I’ve ever received. They told me: “You are a natural speaker on the beauty of redemption. Listening to you reminds me of Brené Brown, Viola Davis, and Bryan Stevenson. Do you know their work?”

I just sort of sat there blinking for a second. Because those words…that comparison basically left me speechless. I had to pause.

Honestly… sometimes in my mind I’m still the kid who once wasn’t sure where home was going to be… so hearing my name mentioned alongside people like Brené Brown, Viola Davis, and Bryan Stevenson felt a little like someone telling a small-town kid she might belong in the major leagues.

I laughed a little at thoughts that followed which Danny Ellison would be proud to know I did not say them, until now of course…

So…does this mean they might add me to their group chats?
Do we get matching sweatshirts?
Should I bring snacks? 🫣🤪

In all seriousness, I share my story because I believe something with my whole heart: “Supportive communities have the ability to change legacies!”

Moments like this remind me why talking about the hard chapters matter. Because “nothing is wasted. Not the struggle. Not the healing. Not the story.”

Anyway…there may or may not be a cupcake in my hand and a small dance party happening while I am over here “Daring Greatly”.

If a kid who once wondered where home would be can grow up and spend her life talking about hope, healing, and redemption… maybe those hard chapters really were preparing the story all along.