When I became a parent in June 2023, I experienced a love deeper than I ever imagined. It was also a whirlwind of exhaustion and learning and emotional adjustment. I clearly remember wondering early in my pregnancy what it would be like to balance motherhood and full-time ministry with an infant on my hip. At the time, The Salvation Army provided three months of maternity leave—an improvement from what many of my colleagues had previously experienced postpartum, but still a challenge during such a critical and sacred season.

That is why I am incredibly grateful to be among the first officers to receive 12 months of parental leave under the Army’s updated policy. What a gift…what a difference.

One of the things I appreciate most about this new policy is that the leave can be shared between parents, offering officer families the freedom to choose what works best for their unique circumstances. In our case, we decided that I would take the full 12 months with our daughter. That decision reflected what our family needed most at the time. The beauty of this policy is that it allowed us to make that decision freely, without pressure or penalty. That kind of flexibility is a powerful expression of equity in action.

Having one whole year of parental leave allowed me to recover more fully, bond more deeply and be completely present for those early milestones that pass far too quickly. It gave me the space to adjust to parenthood with less pressure, and to cherish the unique calling of being both an officer and a parent. This time was not just beneficial…it was foundational.

Something I really want to acknowledge and celebrate is that my leave was not just “time away.” It was thoughtfully supported by divisional and territorial headquarters. Thanks to territorial provision, we were able to hire someone locally who could help fill the gap my absence created. This meant that my husband, who remained in our shared appointment, was not left to carry the load alone. Our ministry continued with strength and stability and our family was able to navigate this new season with less strain. That kind of practical support speaks volumes. It shows a commitment not just to equity in policy, but also in practice.

What encourages me most is knowing that this isn’t just a one-time blessing. It’s now a new standard for all officers. This is a sign of real progress and a strong step toward greater gender equity in our movement.

New opportunities like this make me proud to be part of an organization that is living out its mission in such a tangible way—recognizing that caring for families and supporting caregivers through this expanded parental leave is kingdom work too. I’m grateful we are choosing to live that out more fully.

To those who advocated for this change: thank you. Your vision and persistence are already blessing so many families, including mine. To the officer parents who are just beginning this journey, I hope this expanded leave gives you the gift of time, presence and peace your family needs.

There is always more work ahead but, today, I am pausing to give thanks. Because this milestone matters and is already making a real difference.