Trinity by Grace: A Tale and Testimony

There’s very little I can say for sure, but one thing’s certain: I was born to write poetry, love God, have a big old family, and start a business… ♡♡♡

I come from an eclectic background, to say the least. I was raised in a holistic household and attended the Portland Waldorf School from pre-K through 12th grade. Waldorf is the type of education where you learn to dance the maypole, knit socks, and play the flute before mathematics, so it really was the perfect fit for my highly creative, outside the box approach.

I was the kid with the big (often unrealistic) dreams that never seemed to come to complete fruition. I spent much of my childhood hidden away in small patches of forest, writing poetry in my notebook and daydreaming about grand Tolkien-inspired adventures.

After graduating high school, I ventured to the University of Oregon to study advertising and creative writing. I was on track to become a copywriter, and everything seemed to be going great, but in truth, I was completely lost. At the time, I was heavily invested in having the “college experience,” which essentially equates to a whole lot of parties, drugs, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and football. I was doing a little bit of everything, trying desperately to find my place, but something wasn’t quite right.

Then, one day, completely unexpectedly, the cafeteria closed, finals were canceled, and everyone was sent home in utter confusion.

Covid was an interesting period, to say the least. I ended up moving to California and working for a co-living startup with my brother. Those years in LA were a whirlwind of chaos. I spent the mornings submerged in west coast surf and afternoons at the apartment working behind a computer. I learned a lot about running a business, gained a good 20 pounds of Covid weight, had my first serious relationship, spent a long afternoon in Tijuana with an expired passport, and ultimately made the difficult decision to leave university and move home—or as my parents like to say… taking a (increasingly long) break…

For the first couple of months, I was completely lost. In many ways, it felt like I had taken a passive step back. I had left behind the path of certainty and comfort in exchange for a whole lot of skeptical adults with endless questions and concerned looks.

I didn’t have a degree to fall back on, and my social anxiety had reached an all-time high. All I knew was that I desperately wanted a small business, so that’s exactly what I set off to do. Well, after a few failed attempts—one involving a ketogenic candy company—I finally landed on picnics. The concept of luxury picnics was an evolving business model born out of Covid and a desire to return to face-to-face experiences.

It was a simple, straightforward model that only required a few hundred dollars in material costs, an eye for detail, and a big enough garage to store 20+ pillows of varying shapes and sizes (thanks, Dad…).

My business launched in March of 2020. My first summer went far better than expected. Sure, there were a few bumps in the road—like the time I accidentally set up next to a wasp's nest—but overall, the guests were happy, and I was beyond relieved.

During this time, I wrote and designed a cute little couples' booklet that has largely become the cornerstone of our luxury picnic experience. I’ve always loved the intricacies of romantic relationships, so I thought it was very fitting to create a booklet with bonding activities and fun games for guests to enjoy during their picnic. This was also the first moment I was able to put my passion for creative writing to work, which felt pretty cool at the time.

Well, after a wonderful summer, it slowly became apparent that my business was, in fact, a very seasonal operation. Reluctantly, I stored away my supplies and logged onto Indeed (my least favorite site of all time…) to look for something to fill my time and increasingly drained bank account.

At this point, my resume was all over the place, and with no clear degree, things weren’t looking optimistic. I ended up sticking within the realm of property management and outreach and ended up working in the leasing department for a brand new apartment complex.

Going from the creative spontaneity of my picnic business to the stanch rigidity of a corporate 9-to-5 did not come easy. I didn't even know how to use a fax machine, and quite frankly, I didn't want to learn. But as the months dragged on, I clung to the parts I loved: the residents, my co-workers, hosting events, decorating, giving tours—well, really just that.

At the time, I was newly single, and my motto was basically “girl boss your way to the top.” I had a very accomplished mentor in real estate at the time and I figured getting my license was the logical next step to a life of financial success and parental approval. So, after six months of staring at CE slides and a few failed exam attempts, I finally passed and became a licensed Oregon real estate agent.

I dove headfirst into my brokerage, quit my 9-to-5, and spent endless morning hours on real estate training videos, mastermind zooms, and small group power hours.

The second summer rolled around and my business took a backseat. After all, I had more important matters to deal with, and my weekends were consumed by open houses and property tours anyway. I was determined to be successful and prove everyone in my life wrong—and that’s exactly why I failed.

Writing this now, it's hard to imagine my headspace at the time. I was so driven and blinded by a version of myself I can barely recognize, a version so far from my natural essence and God-given purpose. I was dating someone with no intention of marrying, and I lived in a constant state of anxiety and deep insecurity. I felt so off balance, lost, and trapped in a life I was beginning to resent.

Little did I know, I was on the cusp of a discovery that would completely alter the entire course of my life and bring me back to a place of true understanding and purpose.

When I look back at some of my earliest childhood journal entries, I’ve found numerous little poems dedicated to God despite the fact that I was never formally introduced to the concept of religion. Broadly “Spiritual” would have been a better word to describe my parents' inclinations and overall philosophy on life. Sure, we went to the local Unitarian Universalist Church every now and then, but I’m pretty sure—Jesus and the Bible were the last thing on anyone's mind during youth group.

I can’t describe everything that happened over the next few months because part of a testimony will always remain somewhat subliminal and personal in nature, but I will say, God plucked me… out of Portland, out of a failing relationship, out of a career I wasn’t built for, and a life I didn’t know how to live right.

For the first time in my life, I felt the deepest sense of surrender. I trusted that my life was in God’s hands and that everything, no matter how confusing or unjust it may seem, was happening for a reason.

I felt like all the schools of thought I had previously built my identity upon were deeply flawed and fraught with inconsistencies and false promises. I began to see the perfection in God’s doctrine and his intricate design for our lives. I saw the fruits of His path and the profound joy that comes from walking in the light.

The next six months turned out to be some of the greatest moments of my life, not because of any one thing, but because I had discovered Truth once and for all. I found an amazing church, began attending small groups, and got my very first Bible. I met a very special guy who shared my love for the Lord and desire to build a family. I drove my Honda CRV 5,000 miles across the country to a little beach town in Florida and spent five incredible months walking towards God.

I met a girl on my third day in Florida named Payton who held my hand and gently guided me towards the Lord. We spent the mornings together at a little cafe in Pompano. As I worked behind the counter, she read her Bible, occasionally sharing verses that sparked deep conversations. The evenings were devoted to having fun. We would paddle-board the channels, play piano, go line dancing, attend bible studies, and jump headlong into warm ocean waves.

I learned first-hand the beauty of God’s promises, the fruits of his path, and the promise of salvation. I began to experience life differently, knowing his hand was guiding my steps and that Love will prevail no matter what evils reside in the shadows.

I learned so much, and one day I returned “home.” Home to the true Grace. The girl who had felt so distant during the past few years. The Grace that wanted more than anything to be a mother, write beautiful poetry in the forest, and pray to God at night.

Well, to follow the story through… I did eventually move back to Oregon and found a resting place in the beautiful mountain town of Bend. I did start dating that guy, and he continues to be the most loving, devoted, caring, strong, humble man I’ve ever met. Being together has given me a deep appreciation for God’s perfect design for man and women. How we are crafted with different strengths and roles, and those dispositions are meant to complement, not compete.

In many ways, Jackson was the reason I finally felt comfortable revisiting my business and ultimately rededicating myself to its humble purpose.

We live in a deeply disconnected society where instant gratification and hookup culture run rampant. Trinity by Grace is dedicated to building a world where love and commitment are encouraged, celebrated, and cherished.

The notion of Trinity in the Christian faith represents one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—united in essence but distinct in role, embodying creation, salvation, and divine presence.

In my business, the Trinity encapsulates the 3 beautiful stages of one's ♡ story represented in our romantic offerings.

1.) The Luxury Picnics: representing the courting stage.
2.) The Proposal Backdrops: for popping the big question.
3.) The Poetry Booth: for your wedding day.

It’s been a wild ride, but I feel like I’ve finally arrived at a place of peace and understanding. I guess if I could give any advice, it would be to lean into your passions of old—the things that lit you up as an innocent child. Because more often than not, those early desires and proclivities are the very ones pointing us home. The ones that create lasting joy and fulfillment. The ones you can count on to be there forever.

And that leads up to now… A recommitment to my business, my purpose, and my values.

I want to thank everyone in my life who has supported me along my ever-evolving journey. To my amazing parents who continued to support my dreams even when I chose the most unconventional path. To my friends in Florida who continue to model Christ and hold me accountable in my faith. To the best siblings I could ever ask for, and lastly, to Jackson for showing me the love I always dreamed of.

If you made it to the end, thank you! I hope you found this story inspiring in some small way and that it might point you to “the way, the truth, and the life…” —John 14:6.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6