Home, to me, is the dinner table. It has always been a sacred space within our home; a place where family gathers to pray, eat, relax and share the day’s experiences.
Growing up as one of eight children, the dinner table was where we felt safe to share our joys and fears. Everyone had “their seat,” and it never changed. When dinner was ready, the youngest child near the kitchen had the special duty of ringing the dinner bell; a small four-inch Liberty Bell that wasn’t too loud but very effective. The sound of that bell brought everyone running.
Fast forward to today: with five children of my own now, the dinner table remains our cherished space. To encourage conversation, I ask each child to share one good thing that happened to them that day. Nothing is off-limits at the table. It’s where I learn the most — who has a new boyfriend or girlfriend, which class has the best teacher, who got a speeding ticket, who broke a window or who landed a new job.
The dinner table is more than a piece of furniture; it’s a symbol of connection and growth. In many ways, it’s like working at Cenlar. Both involve serious discussions that lead to development, moments of joy and challenge and — above all — people helping people.
My work at Cenlar reflects the same principles I’ve had since I was a child. In my role, I partner with credit unions to ensure their members receive exceptional care, whether that means guiding them through homeownership challenges or finding solutions that fit their unique needs. The values I learned at home — listening, empathy and collaboration — shape how I approach every interaction.
Interestingly, I wasn’t the only one in my family to choose a career around helping people achieve their dream of homeownership. My father and brother also did, the connection to home running deep, bonds clearly formed around the dinner table.
For me and my family, home isn’t just a place; it’s a purpose.
A Place of Connection and Growth
