My Story

Hi, my name is Leah and this is my story so far...

Born and raised in the liberal Pacific Northwest but in a conservative Christian home, I am sometimes a quandary for people. I am the oldest of 4 and the only girl. My parents decided they wanted to homeschool around the time I was 3 years old, so the first time I actually attended class in a 'real' school was when I walked into my Business Math class on my first day at community college after graduating homeschool highschool. 

My parents (and especially my mom) helped spark in me an enthusiasm for travel and curiosity about nature from a very young age. I believe the story is that I was tent camping with my parents at the Pacific Ocean when only a month old (photo above). My whole childhood was filled with camping trips in the beautiful lush forests of Western Washington and road trips throughout the western half of the United States. My mom is a lover of the National Parks and there are a large number of them on that side of the country, so I have been to many of them. I probably visited more National Parks by the time I graduated highschool than most Americans see in their lifetime. Of course, I didn't realize this until I 'grew up' - it was just a normal part of my life at the time. 

Around the time I graduated college, I was beginning to feel stuck and a little trapped. I had lived my whole life up to that point in the same area, had gone to college locally, and I was really feeling the itch to get out and experience life in a different part of the country. Some really close friends of mine had recently settled in Nashville and I visited for a wedding. Although I only spent a few days in Tennessee, I really enjoyed it. I loved the idea of living near my best friend again and several other close childhood friends. About a year and half later I was driving cross country with my little car packed to the brim with my belongings. That was the beginning of an amazing new season in my life.

I have lived in the Nashville area now for about 7 years total and it has really become my home. My job and life here have allowed me to travel and do other things that are fulfilling. With my recent health changes I'm finding out even more how blessed I am to be here.