I am Deena

Some people go to priests. Others to poetry. I to my friends.
VIRGINIA WOOLF

Thanks for being a true friend, a forever friend, a friend that becomes family and my . Wishing you the happiest of birthdays filled with all that your heart desires because you deserve it.

As a child of a working mom and probably one day (not too soon) the mother of a working mom myself, I've embraced the balancing act of juggling career and family. While my children understand and accept that my career is a vital part of who I am, the inevitable mom guilt still weighs heavily on me at times. My kids are my greatest challenge and legacy, but my career and financial independence are also high on my list of priorities.

This year, on my daughter's 15th birthday, I find myself waking up in Norwalk, CT while she starts her day in Miami, FL. Missing moments like these isn't new to me, nor will it be the last time. But it doesn't make it any easier.

As a working mom, I often find myself repeating the mantra that we can have it all, just not all at once. Something inevitably has to give. This year, it's breakfast with my daughter on her birthday. She's understanding and supportive, encouraging me to prioritize a crucial executive committee meeting that requires my physical presence. Fortunately, my colleagues have been incredibly accommodating, reshuffling schedules to ensure I can be there for my daughter when she returns from school. Truth be told, they also had personal life events that they needed to prioritize so it worked out for all of us.

Despite the wins, the internal struggle persists. As moms, we place immense pressure on ourselves to be everywhere and everything to everyone, a feat that's simply impossible. I'm on a journey of learning to give myself grace, recognizing that my children know they are loved, supported, and protected, whether I'm by their side or miles away. So here's to my fiercely loving and authentic daughter on her special day. My hope for her is to learn from my experiences and embrace imperfection sooner than I did. Happy birthday to my bestie,

Some people come into your life and you can’t remember what life was like before them. Thanks for being one of those people… the ying to my yang, the sugar in my latte and the rock that is always there for me no matter what. Happy birthday to my 45 never looked so good. Love you