A Love Letter to My Children

When They Say “No,” Let It Light a Fire: A Love Letter to My Children About Overcoming Rejection, Passion, and Purpose

Dear sweet Children,

If there’s one thing I want you to carry with you—folded into your back pocket, tucked into your heart—it’s this:

Rejection is not the end of the road.

I know that stings to hear sometimes. I’ve been there. Whether it’s a “no” from a gatekeeper, a closed door when you felt ready to walk through, or the silence that follows sharing something you’ve poured your heart into—it hurts. But it is never the final word on your worth.

From our kitchen table lessons to the creative chaos of our homeschool days, I’ve always tried to show you that life isn’t about waiting for someone to choose you. It’s about choosing yourself—over and over again—with faith, fire, and follow-through.

When I started HereTheyGrow.com, it wasn’t because the world gave me a platform. I learned how to blog, so you can participate through our homeschool. I built this space so I could share my lessons, stories, and experiences with you, my sweet kiddos. I wrote my heart out, made messy progress, shared ideas, and found my community. The same is true with our Etsy shop—it started with just a spark of creativity and a desire to serve families like ours. And guess what? Our community found us. The ones who needed exactly what we had to give—they showed up.

That’s the beauty of following your passion

When you keep showing up with authenticity and purpose, the right people will meet you there.

Sweethearts, I want you to know this too:

The cream always rises to the top.

That’s not just a saying—it’s a promise. If you keep your heart soft, your work honest, your hands busy, and your faith steady, you will rise. Not because the world handed you something but because you grew into yourself.

But don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You know how I always ask you, “What three things do you want to do or be when you grow up?” That’s not just because I love your imagination (though I do!). It’s because life is beautifully unpredictable. One dream might slow down while another one soars. You don’t just get to do more than one thing—you should. Be a baker, ballet dancer, and seamstress. A scientist, storyteller, and a dad. A mom, a musician, and a restaurant owner. Keep those gifts flexible and flowing.

Let passion lead, but let wisdom and willingness work behind the scenes. Life asks us to pivot, adapt, and keep learning—and when you’ve got more than one dream in your pocket, you’ll never feel stuck.

So when the world tells you “no,” here’s what I hope you’ll do:

Say a little prayer.
Brush off the dust.
Look at that “no” square in the face and say, “Thank you, next.”
Then go build something anyway. Create it. Share it. Show up again.

And remember, you are never walking this path alone. Your faith will be your compass, your passion will fuel your journey, and your family—well, we’ll always be your soft place to land.