Thirty-Seven and Thriving (Well, Learning to Thrive)

Birthdays hit differently in your thirties. At 37, I’m realizing it’s not about how many people are around the table with me, but who is actually sitting in those seats. It’s not about being surrounded by a crowd, but being surrounded by the right people—the ones who pour into me as much as I pour into them.

The past couple years have been some of the most eye-opening, soul-stretching years of my life. And honestly? They’ve been my favorite years of growth yet.

My Circle Has Changed, and That’s a Good Thing

I used to think that the more friends you had, the better life looked. But now? I know it’s about quality, not quantity. My family all lives within 30 minutes of me now, and that alone is the biggest gift. My childhood best friend Savannah and I might not talk every day, but when we do, it’s like no time has passed—we pick up right where we left off, and that’s a kind of friendship money can’t buy.

And then there’s Heather—my ride-or-die, my partner in crime, and my business dreamer. Together, we’re building something real for women like us, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

My Husband—My Rock

I could write an entire book about my husband and still not do him justice. He supports me, loves me despite my faults, and somehow always knows how to put me first even when I don’t. He makes me feel seen, heard, and safe—and I know how rare that is. I don’t take it for granted for one second.

My Kids—My Why (and Sometimes My Chaos)

Parenting is NOT easy. Some days feel like the trenches—messy, loud, exhausting trenches. But then my kids do what they always do: they make me laugh, or give me a hug, or whisper something so simple and sweet that it reminds me exactly why I’m here. They are my greatest challenge and my greatest reward, all in one.

Becoming Unapologetically Me

One of the best parts of getting older? I don’t feel like I have to filter myself anymore. For so long, I worried about saying the “right” thing, holding back to avoid hurting feelings, or toning down who I really was just to keep the peace. But not anymore.

At 37, I feel free to be me. The messy, loud, opinionated, sassy, soft-hearted, faith-filled me. I don’t need to water myself down. I don’t need to apologize for who I am. Because I know now that I am made perfect in God’s eyes, and He never asked me to be anyone else but myself. He doesn’t want the polished, people-pleasing version—He wants me, 100%. And living in that truth feels like the greatest growth of all.

Growth and More Growth Ahead

This year feels like a turning point. Between building KO Unscripted with Heather, leaning into my closest relationships, and learning to embrace the beautiful chaos of being a wife and mom, I’ve realized: I’ve grown, but I’m not done growing. I’m more myself at 37 than I’ve ever been—but I’m still learning, still stretching, still reaching for more.

So here’s to 37: to quality over quantity, to growth over perfection, to being unapologetically me, and to dreaming bigger than ever before.

Because if the last two years have taught me anything, it’s this: there’s no freedom like the freedom of being exactly who God made you to be.

Unapologetically,

K of K+O