If you have two kids and can move anywhere in the U.S., where do you go? After contemplating this question and using a map to mark out all their options, Darra Varlas and her husband chose Madison, Alabama in 2022. Military life had led them all over, and they really wanted to find somewhere that put money into resources for families and kids. On top of that, she considered her cookie business and what laws were in place that would affect how she was able to sell her product. Ice storms shutting down schools and middle-of-the-night tornadoes were not what she was hoping for in moving here, but the beauty and convenience of the Huntsville, Alabama area has helped make it an incredible place to call home.

Darra shares her journey into motherhood and how she and her husband hadn’t really been around kids before. Although sleep when the baby sleeps sounds like great advice, it’s much harder to put into practice and usually ends up with mama feeling exhausted. This was absolutely the case, and Darra talks about her struggles with mental health and feeling like she couldn’t keep going.

And then one day, someone posted online that they needed cupcakes for a birthday party. Darra liked to bake, and signed up for the job, not realizing this would launch her into the baking world and change the trajectory of her life. She suddenly became known for her decorated cupcakes, even implementing Taste Test Tuesday, where she handed out cupcakes on paper plates for a few dollars apiece. Darra shares how much joy it brought her that someone liked what she was creating, and the cupcakes soon transitioned to cookies. Although she claims she isn’t very artistic (I’m calling a lie on that one), she flourished in the cookie business and soon had a large number of orders coming in.

In addition to an unplanned business, Darra also landed in an unexpected world of homeschooling. Her son was ready for kindergarten during the pandemic, but there wasn’t a great system in place at their local school. His birthday also fell around the cutoff date, so he would be 4 at the beginning of the school year. She decided to try homeschooling in order to meet his specific needs, and he thrived. One year turned into two, and now the family doesn’t have plans of stopping any time soon.

As life has thrown unexpected circumstances and opportunities her way, Darra has adapted and shifted her plans in order to make the best of them. She shares her experiences with passion and lights up the room when talking about the things that matter most to her. Go have a listen to her incredible story, and bring some tissues. Just in case.