I didn’t own all of them, but I did have three—computers, that is. Most of ours were hand-built by my dad. I’d watch him troubleshoot, pushing through every challenge, and just as he’d solve one problem, he’d dream up an even better way to improve it. Technology was a part of my world, balanced perfectly with days of wild outdoor play. Nothing felt more magical than exploring the woods near my childhood home, lost in imaginary worlds where I could be a fairy, an adventurer, a mother, or a wandering nomad with no place to call home.
As I reached my preteen years, friendships and creativity took center stage. I started writing stories and even built my first websites to showcase them chapter by chapter, teaching myself the basics of coding. That was the first time I felt the thrill of bringing my ideas to life in a digital, visual space.
But somewhere along the way, my creativity got boxed up and stored away. The pressure to go to college, to choose something “safe,” crept in. My dad, who never had the chance to go himself, dreamed of me graduating and “making it.” I was told that creative careers often led to struggles and that practicality was the way to go.
So, I went to college and graduated, even though every part of me knew I was out of alignment. I entered the “real world” and quickly realized I’d be underpaid and undervalued. I’d sit in my cubicle, doodling in the margins of my notes, wondering how I’d make it through another 25 years to retirement.
Then, I became pregnant with my son, Elias. Everything shifted. The career I’d worked toward suddenly felt unimportant, and my purpose felt clearer than ever. After eight months of balancing work and motherhood, my husband and I decided I’d leave my job to be home with Eli. It was both the best and hardest decision I’d ever made. I loved it, but breaking free from the 9-5 mold required unlearning so much of what I thought I knew. Half of me felt at peace, but the other half yearned for a creative outlet, something to call my own.
Motherhood became everything to me, yet when my daughter, Nova, was born, something profound shifted. Holding her was like looking at a small, fearless version of myself, a spark of wonder with the whole world open to her. She mirrored the dreams I once tucked away, and in her eyes, I saw the parts of me that were waiting to be rekindled. I realized then that I could be both—Jessica and “Mom.” I wanted my children to see that their mom was not only theirs but a woman who dared to dream, to create, to inspire. They stirred a passion in me to show them what’s possible when we follow our hearts. And so, with them as my compass, I began again, ready to craft a life that celebrates both my love for them and my need to bring dreams to life.