Now, before you get all I-don’t-know-how-you-do-it on me, I should tell you that I got this big family the easy way. I married my husband, Tim, and his three sweet children.
Then along came Ruby and Dane...
She is Love. That’s the name of the song that played in the hospital room after Ruby was born. She was my first. My baby. I was finally a mom. I wanted to be a mom since I was three...THREE!
This petite little thing, with wavy hair and ruby red lips, was a dream come true. She cried. I cried. I was in love at first sight. I was overwhelmed with a desire to protect this little piece of us. She was absolutely perfect, and I knew within an instant that I’d lay down my life for her.
Two years later came my son. It was Simple Man this time... “And don't forget, son, there is someone up above. Be a simple kind of man. Be something you love and understand.”
Dane was long with dark hair. He was so handsome and followed the rules, eating and sleeping as prescribed. I simply adored him. He was perfect, and I pitied the one who messed with my little man.
Fast-forward yet another 2 years...
…To the year that brought us a Celiac diagnosis for Ruby and an ambulance ride to the ER with Dane for an undiagnosed nut allergy. Oof.
The realization that I couldn’t protect them from everything hit me like a ton of bricks.
My husband Tim & I became professional label-readers overnight. We stripped our kitchen of everything that threatened our kiddos, and as we looked at other products — hair care, skin care, sunscreens, soaps — it occurred to us that we had a lot of work to do.
But work is what we do. Entrepreneurs at heart, we took a step back and asked, “Why not us?” And so with my husband's support, I created Story. It was one thing I could do to make sure my family always has something safe for their skin. It means I don’t have to hesitate when we need lotions or cleansers, or when some of us need something to stave off the wrinkles.
And it’s a good thing, because as it turns out, I’m not the perfect parent I always dreamed I’d be. On a busy day, my kids survive on granola bars and salami. And I’ve learned that’s ok. I’ve learned over and over that I can’t protect my kids from everything — BFF heartbreak, monkey bars, and walls that jump out of nowhere. And I’ve learned to (kind of) let go and pray. PRAY HARD.
Being a mom drives me, fuels me, inspires me, and just plain wears me out. And I simply can’t imagine anything better.
In total, I have 8 incisions from these surgeries that have needed care. My Story Skin Care products have been there with me throughout each of my surgeries, in every phase of healing. From softly cleansing, to gently moisturizing, once the wounds would close and heal.
When our daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at age 4, Tim immediately went to work on a gluten-free recipe that would taste just as good as the non-GF version. After several taste tests with the most discerning young palates, he nailed it. Light and fluffy, perfectly golden – gluten-free – perfect pancakes!
Carmen Kubista
Author
founder of story skin care, wife & mom