I happily held alcohol on a pedestal. It was there and it was convenient and it allowed me to check out from life’s stressors or double over laughing with my friends. I believed that it made me a better parent and a better person. I thought I was more personable and welcoming with a few in me. I believed a lot of things and why wouldn’t I?! The substance & society said so.

I worked in the hospitality industry for 25+ years, bartending and serving my way through my teens, twenties, and thirties. I was never the "leave it" girl, I ALWAYS took it! (and to fun extreme!!) I got paid to get others (and myself) drunk. I fully embraced the rinse and repeat lifestyle, and wouldn't have changed it for the world. At the time, it felt like I had the best life. Day drinking on the beach, dinners with girlfriends and bottles of wine, and margaritas at lunch were all fine. I wasn't falling down, I was doing what everyone else was doing and still getting all life's chores done. I was becoming high functioning.

I was a mom who sought comfort in cocktails and, not surprisingly, embraced Mommy Wine Culture with open arms. I needed a way to numb out and calm the constant chaos, and thought alcohol was that golden nugget allowing me this. My Yeti came to the playground, playdates, karate, etc. for no reason other than 'just cuz'.