MY STORY
About Thuy Petersen
A Life Unexpected
My mother immigrated here in 1980 with her son, two brothers and sister while pregnant with me. As the oldest, my mother was responsible to care for everyone since they were all minors. Growing up I witnessed what true grit is. I watched her work multiple jobs and be resourceful to not only provide a life for us but I never once heard her complain. While she never showed any strain to her children, I can’t imagine that It was easy. Her journey shaped the life I envisioned for myself.
I decided at the age of 13, I would be in advertising. All inspired by Angela Bower from Who’s the Boss. Because this was a woman that was her own boss, made her own money, had a house and could raise her family on her own. I craved this level of independence and to be self sufficient so much that I started working at 14 years old to make my own money and all my decisions there after was to set myself up for a steady and stable life.
While my friends dreams of marriage and a family, I just wanted a career I could feel good about and to be able to take care of myself. I never dreamed that I’d be married or have a family of my own. But that’s why you can’t make plans in life, life has a way of leading you where you are intended. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I met my husband at work since I that was where I spent all my time and found validation in my life. And up until the day I decided I was ready to have kids, I really wasn’t sure if I wanted kids. I enjoyed all my nieces and nephews but for so long, they felt like enough. Having my first son, wasn’t easy. It’s funny how you can spend so much of your life doing all the things to ensure
you don’t have a baby because you’re not ready only to find it can be harder than you expect when you are finally ready. But that journey made his arrival all that much sweeter. His birth is the single event that has changed my life the most. I’ve had many life moments that have greatly impacted me, changed me and helped me grow but nothing compares to what I experienced as a new mom. In a split second, my world looked different. My perspective changed on what was and wasn’t important. Who I wanted to be changed. Who I needed to be changed.
My family moved to Forest Hills in 2015 for the quality of life, schools and convenience to the city where my husband and I work. It wasn’t until my older son started nursery school, that I truly began to appreciate and love the neighborhood. I was able to meet other families and watch my son develop and grow these precious friendships that he still holds so dear. But I’ve also been fortunate enough to find some of the most caring, supportive and inspiring “mom-friends” I never knew I needed. These are women that can empathize with my struggles, challenges, and joys of motherhood and womanhood. I’ve benefited so much from different perspectives, strategies and methods in how we can tackle our day to day lives. It began to cement for me how important your community is for your own experience, well-being and growth. House Of Playful Soul is intended to be my thank you to the community that has provided so much for me and my family. We hope to be a destination for families to connect with each other and build their own community connections.
Suzanne Bentley
21 Jul 2019Beautiful Thuy- thanks for sharing all of this. What a special family you have and inspiration you are. I especially love the line ‘the Mom-friends I never knew I needed.’ So true!!!! We can’t wait for the new play space and to Play with Purpose with you and the family! We are lucky to have you and your passion and vision right here in Forest Hills!