2025 40 Over 40 Series: Kristi Lovelace

What are some of the rewarding parts of the current decade you are in? The challenges?

Every season of life brings with it both tender blessings and weighty burdens. This current decade—this chapter I find myself in—has been no different. There have been moments of deep fulfillment and others of quiet ache.

One of the most rewarding parts of this decade has been the return to the classroom. After stepping away from teaching and tasting retirement, I never imagined how deeply I would long to return. But here I am, back in the kindergarten world—the place that feels most like home. The laughter, the hugs, the lightbulb moments… they fill my cup in ways I had forgotten. There’s something incredibly sacred about being part of a child’s very first school experience, and I do not take it lightly. This work matters.

But returning hasn’t come without challenges. One of the deepest struggles is wondering if I can truly be enough for everyone. Enough for the children who need more than I sometimes have to give. Enough for colleagues, for parents, for my own family. I pour out so much of myself during the day that I often come home on empty—questioning if I’m giving the best version of myself to the people who matter most.

Balancing classroom joys with home life is another tightrope walk. There is such delight in my daily work, but it comes with exhaustion. The energy it takes to teach, especially in a demanding classroom, doesn’t just reset when the school bell rings. The patience, the emotional labor, the physical demands—they linger long after dismissal. And yet, when I walk through my front door, I long to be present for the ones I love. It’s not always easy to do both well.

What tugs at my heart the most, though, is the absence of the deep friendships I crave. I believe God designed us for connection, and I’ve known the beauty of close companionship before. But now, it feels harder. The people I love, the ones I’ve grown close to—sometimes life simply takes us in different directions. Paths diverge, and even when love remains, the conversations don’t come as often. The silence can be loud. And I miss them.

This decade is teaching me to lean into grace. To show up imperfectly. To keep giving, even when I’m tired. To trust that God fills in the gaps when I fall short. He’s still writing my story. And I believe He’s not finished yet.

What has been your favorite decade you have lived through and why?

It’s hard to choose a favorite decade—each one holds its own unique beauty, joys, and trials. They all shaped me in different ways. But if I had to choose, I would say my 40s stand out in a special way.

That was the decade when I began to see the fruit of years of prayer, sacrifice, and love. I watched my children grow into the kind of young adults that make a mother’s heart swell with pride. The lessons I poured into them—through late nights, long talks, quiet tears, and endless encouragement—began to bloom right before my eyes. It was in my 40s that I started to feel the reassurance that maybe, just maybe, I did okay.

There is something incredibly rewarding about witnessing your children step into who they’re meant to be. To see them walk with strength, make wise choices, and chase after their dreams—knowing you were part of the foundation that helped them rise.

That decade reminded me that the hard seasons are never wasted. That love planted deep will eventually take root and grow. And that even though the days felt long, the years truly were short.

My 40s gave me glimpses of answered prayers and the quiet joy of watching my greatest work—my children—become everything I ever hoped they’d be.

If given the opportunity, what would you do differently?

If given the opportunity to do something differently in my life, I think it would come down to one thing: trusting God more fully and completely. Not just with the big, bold moments—but with the quiet ones, the uncertain ones, the ones that left me anxious or weary.

God has always been the Waymaker. He’s never stopped guiding me, even when I couldn’t see it. But I can look back now and see moments where I tried to carry the weight alone, where I leaned on my own strength instead of His. I didn’t always pause to seek Him first. I didn’t always rest in the promise that He already knew the way forward. And for that, my heart aches a little.

I haven’t always been the best steward of my faith. There have been seasons where my relationship with God felt more distant than I ever wanted it to be—not because He moved, but because I did. And yet, He never left me. He was there through every stumble, every tear, every silent prayer I didn’t know how to say out loud.

What I would do differently is draw closer to Him, sooner and more often. I would lay down the need to control, the fear of not being enough, and the guilt of past mistakes. I would sit at His feet more. Listen more. Trust deeper.

But here’s the beautiful truth I hold onto: it’s not too late. It’s never too late. God’s mercy is new every morning, and His love never fails. Today, I choose to walk toward Him. I choose to seek that deeper relationship. To become the best version of myself—not by striving, but by surrendering. He’s still writing my story. And I want every chapter from here on to be one of trust, faith, and grace.

My session with Brandi was nothing short of incredible. From the moment it began, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and relaxation wash over me. The atmosphere was deeply spiritual, allowing me to connect on a level I didn’t expect, and the entire experience was uplifting and renewing. Brandi’s presence made me feel completely at ease, as if I could simply exhale and let go. It was more than just a session—it was a soul-nourishing experience I’ll carry with me.