Sunshine, Surprises & Saltwater | April Blog

I know… this April blog is coming a little later than I planned 😅

But honestly, life has been life-ing in the best way.

April has already been full of family time, big decisions, travel, surprises, emotions, and a lot of moments that reminded me to slow down and really enjoy what is right in front of me.

So here’s a little April update from me to you

🤍

🌊 April Came in Fast

I hope you all got your pranks in earlier this month because April really came in fast 😂

This month has felt full of celebrating, reflecting, resetting, and just trying to be present.

There is something about traveling that reminds you life is meant to be lived.

Take the trip. Make the memories. The money comes back, the time doesn’t.

We have more traveling coming up this year, and I’m really excited for all the memories ahead.

🌺 Hawaii, Family Time & the Biggest Surprise

For spring break, we went to Hawaii 🌺

This was our first family trip outside of our city together, so it felt really special. My kids love the beach and they love food, so they were living their best lives the whole trip.

We saw fish, crabs, whales, and so many turtles. It rained, but honestly we still had the best time. We went to the beach, swam in the pool, ate so much good food, and just enjoyed being together.

Sometimes it is not about perfect weather. It is about being with your people.

We were lucky enough to go with another family we are really close to, and our kids are around the same ages, which made it even more special. Watching them play together, laugh together, and make memories together made the trip that much sweeter.

And then… one of the biggest surprises of my life happened.

What I thought were just family pictures turned into Jray proposing to me.

Completely shocked me.

The easiest yes 🤍

Still feels unreal.

🌊 Choosing Myself Too

I needed to take some things off my plate and focus on myself. I needed to not be so stressed.

I was essentially working four jobs, juggling the many hats I wear for Mermaid Kove, writing, making sure bills were paid, being there for my kids, helping with homework, getting them to practices, cheering at games, being a good partner, taking care of the house, trying to work out, trying to eat more than just coffee in the morning, making sure my mental health was okay, making time for friends, and somehow still trying to relax.

It was a lot.

And I honestly thought I was fine. I thought I was handling it.

But my body said no.

Like… sit down. Slow down. Here is your warning.

Knowing my family history with cancer and heart problems, and then dealing with my own health scares, I knew I needed to make changes.

I had to really sit down and think about where my time and energy were going.

Teaching was one of the things I decided to let go of.

And yes, I cried for a few days.

Because I do love teaching.

But since making that decision, everything has felt lighter.

I’ve been taking better care of myself again.

Running at least a mile a day. If I don’t run, I make sure I move for an hour by working out or dancing.

I forgot how much I missed dancing.

Hula. Tahitian. Just moving and feeling like me again.

Since I have been taking care of myself, I have lost 15 pounds and I feel amazing.

I’ve also been trying new ventures and stepping into new opportunities, and I’m really excited for what is next.

🤍 Remembering My Dad

April 24 marks 10 years since my dad passed.

Ten years.

Somehow it feels like forever, and somehow it still feels like yesterday.

This year feels even heavier because it is also my grandpa’s military funeral service. Holding space for both losses at once has been emotional in a way that is hard to explain.

Losing my dad changed me.

It broke parts of me I did not know how to fix at the time. I struggled deeply after he passed and turned to unhealthy ways of coping. I was hurting, and I did not know what to do with all that pain.

Since then, I have done a lot of healing. I have learned how to sit with my feelings instead of running from them. I have learned that grief does not disappear, it just changes shape.

I do not always share the heavy parts of my story, but this one matters to me.

My dad and I were not always the closest, but when we talked, we talked about everything. Real conversations. Honest conversations. The kind you think you will always have another chance to keep having.

I wish I had known how valuable those moments would become.

He was full of jokes, laughter, dancing, and sharing music. He could bring life into a room just by being in it. There was an energy about him that people felt.

And I still feel it.

Now I find peace knowing he is no longer in pain, no longer suffering, and watching over me and my babies.

My son only had a few months with him and was just a baby. My daughter was still in my stomach when he passed. Yet they still talk about him like they know him.

And maybe they do.

Maybe love carries people farther than time ever could.

I just know he is around.

In certain songs.

In certain laughs.

In certain moments that feel too perfectly timed.

Some people leave this world, but never really leave your heart.

💜 Month of the Military Child

April is also Month of the Military Child, and this one always means a lot to our family.

Military kids go through so much that people do not always see. Moving, changing schools, missing loved ones, adjusting schedules, saying hard goodbyes, and learning how to be strong in ways that many adults still struggle with.

They do it with resilience, love, and courage.

My kids recently received an award after school, and as a mom, I was so proud.

Their school is a Purple Star School, which supports military connected families, and it meant a lot seeing them recognized.

To all the military kids out there… you are seen, celebrated, and so appreciated 💜

🌎 Earth Day with My Littles

Earth Day is April 22, and I want to let my kids choose how we celebrate.

Maybe a beach cleanup.

Maybe a hike.

Maybe just talking about ways to take care of the earth.

Little lessons turn into big habits.

🌊 From the Kove

April has reminded me that life can change fast.

Sometimes you have to slow down. Sometimes you have to let go of something good to make room for something better.

Sometimes the blessings come all at once.

Thank you for being here, supporting Mermaid Kove, and growing with me.

Big things are coming 🤍

All you need is Mermaid Kove.

Waves of love,

Tiffany | Mermaid Kove 🌊✨