So you want to a little more about me, eh?

I was born and raised in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the oldest of my generation (on both sides of my family). I have two brothers, Lou and Paul (a.k.a. Peeje). Dad taught engineering at Lake Superior State University and Mom was a "domestic engineer" — in other words, she worked hard taking care of all of us — as well as being a La Leche League leader for many years, teaching in the religious education program at our church, and serving as a volunteer on the boards of many local organizations.

I graduated from Sault Area High School in 1990 and went away to college at Siena Heights College (I hear now it's a university). I studied art (because I love it) and mathematics (because I'm relatively good at it, and there were more teaching jobs in math than in art). I started out intending to be a teacher but decided that wasn't for me. By the time I decided not to teach, I was far enough along in the math program that I decided to finish it anyway. I graduated with two degrees in 1995.

I moved back home after graduating from college, and soon found work as a photographer at the local newspaper. I worked there for two years, and then returned to school, this time for my Master's degree in art history, at the University of Notre Dame. After much work and effort, I finished my thesis during the summer of 2000 and graduated in early August. I'm still at Notre Dame, however, because in early July 2000 I started a job in the Library's Department of Rare Books & Special Collections.

During the time I was living and working at home, I reunited with a former boyfriend: Christian Hess. We'd known each other since high school and dated for a while a few years after graduation. It hadn't lasted at the time, largely because of the distance between da Soo (where he still lived) and Adrian, MI (where I was at college) — a 5 hour plus drive.

We started dating again in the fall of '96, got engaged in the fall of '97, and were married in August 1998. We've settled in Niles, Michigan, where we live with our two crazy cats, Chessie and Ivy. In August of 2002 we welcomed our first child, Mairi.

What else can I tell you about myself?

I love to travel: I've made two trip to Paris — a week in the spring of 1990 and a month in the summer of 1995 — and loved it both times. Some of my favorite places I've visited in the states include: San Francisco, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; various parts of coastal Maine; and Charleston, SC. I camped on Prince Edward Island in the summer of 1995, and visited Toronto for the first time in the winter of 1999-2000.

That's all I can think of for now. I hope you enjoy the rest of the site!