Sunshine Spotlight
Expand AllQ: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your family?
A: I have two wonderful sons: Colin, 17 and Finn, 15. Having high school-aged boys in the house keeps things lighthearted and entertaining! My husband, Steve, and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this year. We live in Villanova, PA, which is 8 miles from Lilly HQ, the Pink Palace.
Q: Is there a mom or mother figure in your life who inspires you?
A: I am so lucky to be able to call my mom my best friend. She has such a positive energy and has always shown me the power of a strong work ethic. She still works full time in her 70s!
Q: How do you create sunshine as a mom?
A: I think my kids appreciate most that I'm super interested in their lives. If they're in the high school production of Les Mis, I'm listening to the soundtrack in advance and talking to them about the plot. If Colin is attempting to solve a new Rubik’s Cube, I ask him to show me how he's doing it. If Finn is trying a new recipe (he loves to cook), I'm excited to be the first taste-tester. As energetic as I am about my work and all the ‘grown up’ stuff in our lives, I am just as energetic about whatever the boys have going on in their lives. I think that has brought us closer together, especially during the teenage years.
Q: What's your motherhood mantra?
A: As cliché as it is, I tell myself often to slow down and enjoy the moments, even if the moments are messy and if I have a to-do-list a mile long. Now that my sons are older, I can truly agree that kids grow up really fast!
'You only get so many no’s, so choose them wisely,' was something my mom told me when I was just starting out on my journey of motherhood. It's great advice at all ages.
And finally, 'They won’t take their pacifier to college,' meaning: don’t stress about whether kids are doing things “on time” or if they haven’t yet grown out of a more childlike habit. They will mature at their own speed; keep guiding them and let them develop at the pace that is right for them!
'You only get so many no’s, so choose them wisely,' was something my mom told me when I was just starting out on my journey of motherhood. It's great advice at all ages.
And finally, 'They won’t take their pacifier to college,' meaning: don’t stress about whether kids are doing things “on time” or if they haven’t yet grown out of a more childlike habit. They will mature at their own speed; keep guiding them and let them develop at the pace that is right for them!
Q: How are you planning to celebrate Mother's Day this year?
A: My husband makes a better brunch than any restaurant, so I imagine he'll whip up some omelets and smoked salmon (my favorite food!) while I do the Sunday NYT crossword at a leisurely pace. When my kids were younger, Steve would often take the boys out to play golf on Mother’s Day so that I could get some downtime. But now, I'm learning to play golf so that I can spend more time with the three of them!
I'll also text or call my many beautiful mom-friends, my sister, and of course, my mom, to wish them all a happy Mother’s Day! Sadly, Steve’s mom is no longer living, so it is a day for me to be supportive of him as well.
I'll also text or call my many beautiful mom-friends, my sister, and of course, my mom, to wish them all a happy Mother’s Day! Sadly, Steve’s mom is no longer living, so it is a day for me to be supportive of him as well.
