Everyone has a story.
This one is mine.
Showing up authentically, is the bravest endeavor.
Welcome! My name is Leigh Gorham.
I am a Texas born, former nomad. I have lived in the South, on the East Coast, in the Alaskan beauty, in Kansas City, MO, and now I finally live in my dream state. In November of 2023, my husband, son and our dog Sadie packed up sold our house, and drove West, to the stunning mountain town of Frisco, CO.
I have always taken my time (well, I was a pretty hyper, fast-paced adolescent) - at least in terms of “society’s measure”. I progressed at my own pace. I still do. I believe that can be the starting point of great adventure - when you leave the hurry behind you. When you keep the persistence of your goals without the timeline others can impress upon you.
I am a daughter to two supportive parents, a sister to an opposite personality & fellow goofball, a friend to the most amazing humans I’ve ever known, a lucky Aunt, a Wife to an amazing man, and a Mama to the most wonderful little boy.
A writer & reader at heart.
Since I could read, I did. I devoured books and stories and fell in love with the written word. As a little girl, I would write stories, read every chance I had, and I never grew out of that passion for literature and storytelling.
I have a degree in Creative Writing and English (initially I was an Education major, and I still have a deep heart for education & teaching) and if you were to ask my dream (the “what would you do for free” question), it would be to write books. For the rest of my life. Children’s books, non-fiction, even fiction if I can be brave enough.
I have also always loved people. I was told even from a young age, I never knew a stranger. I was often told I would “talk to a wall”. I have kept my compassion and love of others, but as I’ve grown, I’ve also learned the balance of boundaries and space and flourishing into an introverted-extrovert harmony.
The reason I am who I am
I believe in Jesus. I believe in compassion. I believe in love conquering death and pain. I believe in putting others ahead of myself and treating everyone equally, seeing them as my Father does. The core of who I am, all the things I do and strive for, stems from my faith that He carries all I’ll ever need, and He gives me the journey.
I am entrusted with people and tasks and days and hours and I am determined to honor that. When I fail, (because I will) I will seek forgiveness, gain wisdom, know better and do better. Everything is a learning opportunity. Every person, every path, every decision, shapes who I am and who I want to be. When I believe this and act accordingly, I become the best version of myself - transforming from one degree of His glory to the next & stepping confidently into the beauty He has knit for me.
A little about love
In keeping with the notion of “I do things on my own timeline”, I had my first serious relationship at age 34 after meeting a handsome man on a blind date. Not long after, I fell in love for the first time. After two years, that same man asked me to marry him at this very spot (see photo on the left) while hiking in my favorite state of Colorado. We stood before our patient, loving family and friends and said “I do”, a month before I turned 36. We had a little joy, some deep grief, and eventually, I gave birth to a miracle rainbow baby boy when I was 38. I’m now 41 and I’ve learned more about love than I ever thought I would, in these past 8 years.
I was someone who was never in a hurry to find love. Yes, I thought of it and yes I wanted a future family in general (I did always want kids), but God never built me as someone who held tightly onto that dream or thought about it constantly. In school, I was content being the friend who hung out with my couple friends. In college, I was so happy for my friends and the “wedding season” that took storm for the next decade and more. I never begrudged anyone and if anything, because of my own childhood, I would rather be single for the rest of my life, than be in an unhappy marriage.
But I did pray that if God had a husband and family for me, that He would have to hit me over the head with it all. I would likely go running from it if He didn’t make it abundantly clear that it was a path with this person, for which He had prepared me.
He answered that prayer in gentle faithfulness.
Trusting your whole heart and self to another imperfect human is the scariest thing you could ever do.
Yet I believe it is worth it - leaning in to the unknown. It’s worth it because I believe that no matter what, He works all things for good. Even the unimaginable. Even the unbearable grief.
This is just the start of who I am. Small snippets of insight. There are so many layers to all of us. We are all wandering the world with our own stories, our own experiences. If you stick around, you’ll learn more about who I am and why. My heart speaks most clearly through writing, and I’m learning how to speak through art as well. It’s all a journey. One I’m deeply grateful to be on.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for wanting to learn more about me. I hope you feel welcome in this space. There is so much I want to share with you. I hope you’ll stick around for it all.