Motherhood in the Messy, Meaningful Middle

Motherhood is not what I expected—but in the best way. It’s louder, deeper, more chaotic, and more sacred than any definition I could’ve read in a book or posted on a nursery mood board 14 years ago.

I’m raising two teenage girls and one wild-hearted 8-year-old boy. That’s three entirely different love languages, three growth curves, and three soul journeys—all happening in real-time, right in my kitchen, my car, my laundry room, and sometimes, my bathroom when no one will give me five minutes alone.

At this stage in life, motherhood looks like:

• Being the anchor and the launchpad. My girls are 14 and 12—caught in the magnetic pull between childhood and womanhood. They still need bedtime chats, but they also need space to pull away and discover who they are. My role is to be steady, honest, and deeply present, even when I’m not physically in the room. So I try to pay attention to the little comforts, like a warm blanket on their beds or a lamp left on in the stillness of the night—those quiet reminders that they are held.
• Being okay with the mess. With an 8-year-old boy in the house, there are Legos in places I didn’t know existed and endless curiosity about how the world works. I used to clean up every night—now, I light a candle, pour a glass of wine, and let the mess remind me that imagination lives here. I know all to well how quickly his little-ness is slipping away.
• Being a mirror and a model. Our kids are watching, whether we realize it or not. They see their dad and I leading our business side by side—making decisions, celebrating wins, and tackling the challenges together. They’re learning that building something meaningful takes hard work, partnership, and a lot of teamwork.

Even when they roll their eyes at our “shop talk” or groan about one more errand for the store, I know it’s sinking in. They see that creating a life you love isn’t perfect—it takes collaboration, creativity, and trust.

One day, I hope they’ll look back and realize this wasn’t just about a brand. It was about building a family dream and a legacy together - and facilitating that sense of home for others.

• Being the soft place to land. Even when I’m exhausted. Even when I haven’t eaten a full meal that wasn’t someone’s leftovers. Motherhood means creating space for emotional messes, too. I’ve learned to build our home not just for style, but for connection and comfort. The lighting is soft. The furniture invites conversation. The shelves hold not just books, but our story.

Motherhood isn’t just a title—it’s a lifelong creative act. It’s shaping the future while folding laundry. It’s listening more than speaking. It’s making your home a place your children want to return to long after they’ve grown.

And it’s knowing that in the smallest moments—curled up with a book, sharing about our days around the kitchen island, or laughing over the inevitable spills and mishaps—you’re doing the most important work there is: creating a home that grounds your children and becomes their emotional anchor. A place that whispers, you belong here, even when the world feels unpredictable or overwhelming.

As a mother, I want our home to be more than just beautiful. I want it to feel like an exhale. I want my kids to grow up knowing the smell of comfort, the texture of safety, and the unspoken language of love built into every room. Because one day they’ll leave. That’s the job—we raise them to fly. But I want them to always know where home is. Not just the address. The feeling. The sanctuary. The memory of who they were and who they’re still becoming.

Whether they’re 8 or 38, I want our home to be a place they can return to—to feel seen, to reset, to remember what really matters. That’s the legacy I want to build—not just through good design, but through intentional love lived out in every room.

Wishing all the incredible mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day. May your day be filled with love, laughter, and all the little moments that make it all worth it.

From my home to yours,
Alli

The Soulful Details That Say: You Belong Here
Every piece we bring into Hutch Home is chosen with intention—because we know firsthand how much meaning a well-designed space can carry. As a husband-and-wife team raising kids and running a business, we believe in products that don’t just look good, but live well—with beauty, durability, and heart.

These are a few of our favorite pieces for creating a home that holds your people close and reflects the love and legacy you’re building every day:

• Rebecca's Grainsack Throw – A cozy layer for late-night movies, after-school chats, or quiet moments on the couch.
• Lemonwood + Thyme Candle – Clean, bright, and calming. Light it during dinner prep, deep talks, or after the kids go to bed.
• Ribbed Glass Bud Vase – For clippings from the yard or grocery store blooms—whatever reminds you of home.
• Handstamped Floral Stoneware Mug – Meant for the rituals that matter: morning coffee, hot cocoa, long talks at the kitchen island.

Celebrate Mother's Day with 15% OFF + FREE gift wrapping May 7th-11th. Each piece is a small part of a bigger story—your story. One of creating a life with love, grit, intention, and style. That’s the heart behind Hutch, and it’s the heart behind our home, too.