Today is Stephanie’s last day as the director of Our Kids Academy – one the top child care centers in Pennsylvania, and likely the country! She began this journey nearly 15 years ago after I lost my job in July 2001. The first day of her new job was the day I was diagnosed with cancer – can you say stress?!

Everyone is blessed with a God-given skill and Stephanie’s unbelievable gift, and what has been her life’s mission, has been working with children, early childhood development and supporting families through these important early years. I often tell my friends that Stephanie is 95% the reason our kids turned out so well! It is such a blessing that Jessica and Amanda have such a wonderful role model for being a mom.

While Stephanie and I have talked about this day for a long time, and we’re both ready to start an exciting new chapter in our lives, I know that today will be an emotional day for her because she cares so deeply for her staff and the children. It seems quite appropriate that today is graduation day at Our Kids Academy!

Sometime last fall, Stephanie started getting nudged by God to begin considering this change. One the nudges was getting a quote by Hunter S. Thompson in a morning email that read: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”

So while today marks the end of a chapter, a very important chapter, we are both super excited to start a new journey – one that will be part of our eventually proclaiming, “Wow! What a ride!” More on that very soon!

I am beyond proud of all that Stephanie has accomplished and the lives she has touched and blessed. Congratulations Stephanie!