I grew up in the heart of the Midwest in Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating from Berea College with a degree in Child Development, where I went on to receive my Master’s in Professional Counseling and became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida.

In between my freshman and sophomore years of college, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on July 17, 1981. Since then, all my decisions have been filtered through the lens of His will for my life.

During my undergraduate, I also met the love of my life and now husband of 37 years, Mark Mateer, and we have three children, three grandchildren, and a continued love affair not only with one another but also with our heavenly Father.

Some of my favorite things are laughing really hard with friends, strong black tea, thrifting, and quiet moments with Mark. I have a full life as a mother, grandmother, professional, and writer, but one of my greatest joys is having authentic conversations with women about life.