Growing up in NOLA shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until I left. From the neighborhoods I ran through as a kid to the family traditions that still ground me, my journey has been one of growth, change, and realization. There’s a rhythm to life in New Orleans that never really leaves you. The warmth, the resilience, the way people show up for one another—it’s in my DNA. But it wasn’t always easy. I grew up watching strength in action. I witnessed how creativity and faith could stretch limited resources into something meaningful.
Of course, no trip to New Orleans is complete without diving into the food. Every bite carried a memory—of childhood, of laughter, of moments that mattered. From red beans to beignets, every meal felt like a small reunion with a part of myself I forgot I missed. But more than the food, it was the conversations shared over those plates that reminded me how deeply rooted I still am in family and culture.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t have to look like major milestones all the time. Sometimes it’s just being present in a space that once overwhelmed you—and realizing you’re standing in it with more clarity, more confidence, more peace.
This trip back home helped me see that even though I’m not exactly where I want to be, I am so far from where I started. And that is worth celebrating. If you're in a season of growth—or even just trying to hold it together—take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve already come. You don’t need a big breakthrough to be proud of your progress.
Maybe your “walk down memory lane” looks different. Maybe it’s a conversation, a journal entry, or a quiet moment alone. Wherever you are, honor your journey.
Watch the Vlog below:
Then drop a comment in the YouTube video and let me know: What’s something in your life that reminds you how far you’ve come?
