From Japan to 14 States: How Military Life Shaped My Business Vision
January in Japan: A Window Seat, a Bunny, and a Lesson in Connection
If you had told me, years ago, that I’d find one of my deepest business epiphanies in a Starbucks in Japan, I probably would have laughed. But that’s the strange, winding path of military life—just when you think you’ve got the rhythm down, the universe hands you a new tempo.
It was a chilly January day in Japan, the kind where the sky is a pale watercolor and the air bites just enough to make you crave something warm. I’d tucked myself into a window seat at Starbucks, the kind of spot that feels like a secret hideaway in the middle of a bustling city. My crochet bag—a constant companion—sat beside me, and I was savoring a hot chocolate and a chocolate chip scone. It was one of those rare, quiet moments where I could just be: no rush, no errands, just me, my yarn, and the gentle hum of a café half a world away from home.
That day, I was working on a bunny for a military family—a gift for a niece about to make her entrance into the world. As I crocheted, I watched people come and go outside, the city moving at its usual pace. But inside, something different was happening. People started to pause as they passed my table. Some would slow down, their eyes following the movement of my hands. A few even stopped completely, curiosity and wonder plain on their faces. I could feel their questions, even when language stood between us: What is she making? Why here? Who is it for?
A cozy morning in Japan: my crochet bag, a hot drink, and the start of a new bunny destined for a military family.
It was a moment of pure, unspoken connection. Here I was, an American military spouse, crocheting a bunny for another military family, in the middle of Japan, and strangers from a completely different culture were drawn in by the simple, universal magic of handmade creation. I realized then that Wondering.Waves was never just about selling dolls or bunnies. It was about sharing a piece of comfort, beauty, and connection that transcends language and location. It was about carrying my craft—and my heart—with me wherever I go.
The Power of Portable Creativity
That day in Japan didn’t spark a revolution in my business, but it did clarify something I’d always felt in my bones: creativity is portable. It’s a lesson passed down from my great-grandma, who crocheted through the Depression, through wars, through every move and upheaval life threw at her. She always said, “Creativity doesn’t need an address.” I finally understood what she meant.
Military life is a masterclass in impermanence. We pack up our homes, our memories, our routines, and start over—again and again. But my craft has always been my anchor. My crochet bag is the first thing I pack and the last thing I unpack. It’s my comfort, my connection to family legacy, and my invitation to community, no matter where I land.
After that Starbucks moment, I made a quiet promise to myself: I would spend more time crocheting out in the world, not just behind closed doors. I wanted to invite curiosity, to connect with strangers, to make my creativity a bridge instead of a fortress. There’s something powerful about being visible—about letting people see the process, the imperfections, the joy.
From Japan to Texas: Finding Home in a Temporary Place
Fast forward to our arrival in San Angelo, Texas. Another move, another round of unpacking, another chance to start over. If I’m honest, there’s always a little ache in my chest during those first few weeks in a new place. The longing for familiarity, for community, for the comfort of being known.
But this time, I remembered my promise. Instead of waiting for community to find me, I decided to bring my craft out into the open. I started teaching crochet classes—something I’d always wanted to do but never quite dared. The first class, I was nervous. Would anyone show up? Would they care? Would they see the magic I saw in a ball of yarn and a simple hook?
They did. And more. Sitting in a circle with new faces, sharing my passion, teaching others to turn yarn into something beautiful—it was like planting roots, fast and deep. We swapped stories, shared snacks, helped each other untangle knots (literal and metaphorical). In those classes, I saw the same wonder I’d noticed in Japan. The same curiosity, the same joy, the same hunger for connection.
It wasn’t just about crochet. It was about making a new place feel like home. It was about building a community from scratch, one stitch at a time.
Fourteen States, Countless Lessons
Japan and Texas are just two chapters in a much larger story. In the past decade, I’ve packed up my life and business many times—sometimes for a full move, sometimes just passing through on PCS journeys or for a quick visit. While I’ve only truly lived in Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Texas, and Hawaii, I’ve visited local yarn shops and connected with creative communities in 14 U.S. states (plus Japan!). Each place left its own impression, its own flavor, its own lesson.
Hawaii was a dream for any creative soul. Living there, surrounded by vibrant colors, tropical breezes, and a truly welcoming community, I learned how much the environment can inspire my designs and how quickly “aloha” can make a new place feel like home.
Oregon and Washington both offered their own blend of natural beauty and creative inspiration. The Pacific Northwest’s lush greens, cozy coffee shops, and rainy afternoons were perfect for long crochet sessions and connecting with fellow crafters. Living there taught me the value of slowing down, savoring the process, and letting nature fuel my imagination.
Virginia was where I fell in love with tradition. Surrounded by naval history and deep military roots, I started to understand why my dolls mattered so much—not just as toys, but as heirlooms, as symbols of service and sacrifice.
Texas became a place where I truly put down roots for a while—teaching classes, building community, and making a temporary place feel like home. The warmth of the people and the spirit of “bigger is better” pushed me to dream bigger for Wondering.Waves.
Many other states—California, Florida, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia—were places I passed through, visited, or sought out for their yarn shops. Each stop brought a new lesson:
California and Florida taught me about diversity and adaptability, whether navigating bustling cities or hurricane season.
The Southwest (New Mexico, Utah, Nevada) inspired me with its colors and landscapes, reminding me how travel and creativity feed each other.
Every new yarn shop became a mini-adventure, a place to meet fellow makers and feel at home, even if just for an afternoon.
Each move—whether I was settling in for a while, passing through, or simply visiting—forced me to reassess, to simplify, and to focus on what truly matters. Every new base, every new stop, was a new beginning: new friends, new customers, new stories.
Family Legacy: Creativity Without Borders
Every time I unpack my crochet bag in a new state, I think of my great-grandma. She crocheted through the Great Depression, through wars, through every move and upheaval. Her hands were never idle, and her yarn bag was always by her side—at family gatherings, in waiting rooms, even at church. She taught me, without ever saying it outright, that creativity isn’t something you leave behind when you move. It’s something you carry with you, and it carries you, too.
That legacy is woven into everything I do. My parents have always been my biggest cheerleaders, buying supplies and proudly displaying my creations no matter how many times I changed my address. My husband, Matthew, has been my anchor—helping me brainstorm, encouraging me to dream bigger, and reminding me that every move is just a new chapter, not the end of the story.
I see Wondering.Waves as a living tribute to that family tradition. It’s proof that creativity doesn’t need a permanent address. Instead, it thrives on adaptability, on the willingness to start over, on the courage to keep making and sharing no matter where the military sends us.
The Wondering.Waves Mission: Community, Comfort, and Belonging
What started as a way to pass the time during deployments and long nights away from family has grown into something so much bigger. Wondering.Waves is my love letter to every military spouse who’s ever felt uprooted, every child who’s needed a bit of comfort in a new place, and every creative soul searching for connection.
I want this brand to feel like a warm hug—a reminder that, even if you’re far from home, you’re never alone. My creations are more than just yarn and stuffing; they’re stitched with stories, memories, and the hope that someone, somewhere, will feel a little less alone because of them.
I miss the days when local yarn shops were bustling with laughter, shared snacks, and the gentle click of needles and hooks. I want Wondering.Waves to bring back that spirit of togetherness, both online and in person. Whether you’re joining a crochet class in Texas, following along on Instagram from Virginia, or just reading the blog from your kitchen table in Hawaii, you’re part of this tapestry.
Real Connections, Real Stories
Some of my favorite moments aren’t the big milestones, but the quiet, everyday connections:
Watching a new friend in Texas light up as she finished her first ever granny square in class.
Receiving a photo from a military family whose little one clung to their new doll on their first night in a new house, finding comfort in something handmade and familiar.
Swapping pattern tips and encouragement with a fellow crafter I met in a yarn shop in Oregon—proof that creativity is a universal language.
These moments remind me why I do what I do. Every order, every class, every blog post is an invitation: come as you are, bring your story, and let’s create something beautiful together.
The Heart of the Message: You Belong Here
If you take nothing else from my story, I hope you remember this:
“Embrace your unique journey, create wherever you are, and trust that everything works out just fine. You belong here, and your story is a vital thread in our growing community.”
This is the mantra that keeps me going, the encouragement I wish I’d heard sooner, and the promise I want to offer every person who finds their way to Wondering.Waves. No matter how many times you move, how many times you start over, or how uncertain things may feel, you have a place here.
An Invitation to Join the Yarn Fam
If my journey, my creations, or the idea of a truly supportive community speaks to your heart, I’d love for you to connect with me:
Find me on TikTok & Instagram: @wondering.waves
Join our Yarn Fam: Sign up for my newsletter scroll to the bottom of this page for exclusive updates, inspiration, and to be the first to know about new patterns and projects!
Let’s continue to glow and grow together, no matter where life takes us.
Final Thoughts: The Adventure Continues
Military life is unpredictable, challenging, and sometimes downright exhausting. But it’s also filled with adventure, resilience, and the kind of community that can only be forged in the fires of constant change. Wondering.Waves is my way of celebrating that journey—of turning every move, every challenge, every new beginning into an opportunity for connection and creativity.
So, wherever you are—whether you’re in a bustling city in Japan, a small town in Texas, or anywhere in between—I hope you know: you’re not alone. Your creativity, your story, your presence matters. Together, we’re weaving a tapestry of comfort, beauty, and belonging that stretches across continents and generations.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Here’s to many more stitches, stories, and shared moments—no matter where the waves of life may take us.