Before her baby was even born, Connie had a vision of the kind of parent she wanted to be. She and her partner knew they wanted to raise their child surrounded by community, not just going it alone. So they began seeking out family connections early—hoping to find other parents who understood the wonder (and chaos) of life with little ones.

Her first steps into the North Austin Family Network came through a family meet up. After meeting other families there, Connie felt encouraged to try a Mama Meet Up. She still remembers the surprise of that day. “I was pleasantly surprised when everyone was so open,” she says. “It was easy to talk, easy to share—it felt like something I wanted to come back to.”

That sense of ease became a foundation for her family. Before joining, she didn’t have many friends with kids. But the group gave her daughter playmates and gave Connie something just as valuable—companionship with parents walking a similar path.

One memory stands out clearly: a book reading and signing event, her first of its kind. Simple, but memorable. It became a marker of how this group wasn’t just a social stop, but a supportive place where meaningful experiences happened alongside everyday conversations.

Her daughter, meanwhile, has grown comfortable among the kids and adults alike—never limited to just one friend, but enjoying the mix of personalities and play styles that come with community.

When asked what she’d tell a nervous new mom, Connie is thoughtful: “Everyone here started with just one meetup. Walking through the door can feel like the biggest step, but it’s the one that opens everything else.”

And through those doors, she’s found places she might not have discovered otherwise—the Good Lot, a space that feels like an extension of the group itself: casual, family-friendly, and filled with connection.

For Connie, the journey into motherhood hasn’t been one she’s walked alone. It’s been marked by gentle beginnings, and the steady presence of community.