Prior to becoming a full time stay-at-home mom, I was blessed to serve as the COO of a coffee franchise in California. I was able to work alongside my husband managing hundreds of people, overseeing day-to-day operations, and working with a great team to shape a workplace culture that we all believed in. I have endless gratitude for the role I held – because it prepared me for the weight and joy of creating a strong culture inside my own home.

Today, God has entrusted me to be the CEO of my household. And with this responsibility, I’ve realized that the shaping of our family culture is where my real legacy lies. Managing two little lives has challenged me in ways that sometimes make my former role feel like a piece of cake. In this last year of full-time parenting, I understand now, more than ever that culture isn’t just about the systems you create, or a powerful mission statement – it’s about what you feel when you walk into a space. It’s the tone of your mornings. The way you respond to stress. The moments you celebrate. The way you speak, listen, pray out loud, and laugh.

Wayne and I both bring a different set of experiences to the table. He grew up in a relatively peaceful home up until he graduated high school – conflict wasn’t often expressed in front of him. His parents would handle their disagreements on a long drive, or behind closed doors. I, on the other hand, saw the messy side of marriage early on. (And for the record – absolutely no judgement to my parents. As an adult, I understand the complexities of their lives and their relationship and can empathize with their limitations.) But I witnessed the arguments. The tension. The unraveling of a family.

Seeing this taught me two things: 1. I wanted something different for my children. 2. Creating a home-life I was proud of wouldn’t happen by accident.

So in our home, we try to be as intentional as possible. We are actively working to create rhythms of worship, grace, and laughter. We are actively working to speak with kindness, and establish strong boundaries – even when it’s hard. Our mornings begin with worship music, good coffee, sunlight, and lots of time together.

These small daily habits? They’re the building blocks of family culture.

In our home, we value presence over perfection, and when we are wrong, we always, always say we are sorry. I am finding that it’s incredibly valuable to get on Jack’s level, look him directly in the eye and say, I’m sorry, when I know that I am wrong.

As a mom, and a wife, I don’t always get it right. In fact, some days, you may find me in the fetal position praying for mercy in my kid’s bathroom. But I’m learning that leadership in the home looks like repentance, humility, and intentional decisions that align with the family we want to become – the family I always dreamed of.

I may not be running a business anymore – but I know that what I’m building now will outlast any office I ever sat in. My prayer is that when I’m old and grey, the home we built and the culture we created will continue to live on in the lives of our children – and their children – shaping how they love, lead, and live.

So here’s to the moms and dads leading strongly behind the scenes.

Your home matters.

Your influence runs deep and wide.

And my prayer for you is that the culture you’re creating now will echo for many generations to come.

That is living a life worthy of the calling.