About me

Who am I? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Is there a way to sum up 34 years of life in a few paragraphs? I straddle being your average 34 year old with feeling like I’ve lived so many lives at this point. I guess these are the chapters of life, some are great, some forgetful and some are impossibly hard. 

Highlights? I was born and raised in New York by 2 wonderful parents, Joel and Anne Marie.  I’m a proud Italian, college grad and have been very fortunate in my career in HR. I’m an Aries. I love the beach, anything on the water and dancing. And, to be honest, see myself as pretty freaking strong.

Lowlights? I lost my Dad when I was a baby. My mom said he was the love of her life. I always thought because I lost my Dad so young I would “never” lose my mom. God couldn’t be so cruel. My mom was my everything, my best friend, my world. We spoke all day, every day; she knew all my secrets and my adventures. She was my rock and one in a million. In 2016 though, we lost her to colon cancer at 61 years young. She was diagnosed with stage IV and survived 3 years of chemo and clinical trials with a smile on her face. She was simply incredible and shouldn’t have had to go the way she did. I watched her take her last breath.

Reaction? What the actual f_ck? Why is life so unfair? How could someone SO wonderful leave us so early? How could I go on without her? And, I was doomed.

With a twist of fate, I met the love of my life in 2016, my Fazal. Many said my Mom sent him though she never met him. After the worst year of my life, I had the best year and was able to forge ahead.

Enter growing pains of marriage, in laws, different cultures, and a global pandemic… no big deal. 

And then, something that was never on my radar popped up… a breast cancer diagnosis. Again, what the actual f_ck?

My mom used to say, “God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle.” Well, I guess I am still here.

One of my favorite Peloton instructors, Robin Arzon, said on a podcast, “struggle is a catalyst for strength.” Ok, but damn, how strong do you all want me to be??