Reflections from the Campfire: Keeping the Promise of Community Alive

​This past week, I did something incredibly important to me. I took a brief step back from the campaign and work to sit by a campfire with my brother and family and reconnect with what matters most.

​Almost 12 years ago, we lost our dad. But every year, my brother and I have made it a tradition to get away, look up at the stars, and celebrate the incredible man he was. We share stories, we laugh, and we reflect on the massive legacy of kindness he left behind.

​My dad was a force of nature—passionate, thoughtful, and fiercely generous. He lived by a strict "open door policy." If you needed a hand, a listening ear, or a place to sit, his door was always open. He grew up in a tight-knit community very much like Beaverton, where looking out for your neighbor wasn't a chore; it was just how life was lived. Even when his life took him to the big city, he never lost that small-town soul. He intentionally surrounded himself with people who believed in a deep commitment to one another, ensuring that wherever he was, a true community followed.

​I pride myself on trying to walk in his shoes every single day. The lessons he taught me about generosity and public service are the exact reasons I decided to put my name forward for the Ward 2 Council seat.

​Taking this week to reflect has not taken me away from the campaign—it brought me closer to the very heart of it. When I look at Beaverton, I see the kind of tight-knit, caring community my dad cherished. I see a place where neighbors still look out for neighbors, and where that sense of shared commitment is alive and well.

​As your candidate, my promise to you is to bring that exact "open door policy" to local government. I want to bring the passion, the thoughtfulness, and the deep-rooted community dedication that my father taught me into everything I do for Ward 2.

​Thank you for allowing me this week to recharge and remember.

I’m inspired, and I can't wait to get back to our community that I call home.