During the uncertain time of 2020, our family of four embarked on a journey that would forever shape our lives. With our two young kids in tow, we packed our car, left behind the familiar, and headed toward the unknown. That departure closed the chapter on our first house as it faded in the rearview mirror. It was a leap of faith and love that led us to amazing new places as my husband stepped into the role of a travel nurse during the height of the pandemic. An adventure that led us to relocate not once, not twice, but an astonishing thirteen times within the span of two years. And as chaotic as it may sound, I wouldn't trade those moments for the world.

During the whirlwind of our journey, a passion silently took hold, and BOOM! A single LEGO® set ignited a fire that soon surrounded our lives, becoming more than just a hobby. It evolved into an entire room dedicated to creating, a lifestyle built on imagination and creativity.

Yet with the enthusiasm for LEGO® came some challenges. Traveling with excited young builders was a delight, but scattered pieces and frustrated pleas for help during car rides were our reality. Hotel to hotel, Airbnb to VRBO, we even did a house swap once (that's a story for another day). LEGO® was always everywhere, unorganized and unfinished. I searched all over for something that would hold the pieces and the instructions and still look nice on the coffee table. One day, frustration and inspiration collided in a mess of scattered bricks. And so the first tray was created, born from a simple flat serving tray, a dash of craft supplies, and a dollop of determination and super glue. The TRĀ was not a business plan; the TRĀ was to solve a problem for us. It worked!

From those humble beginnings, The TRĀ slowly became what it is today, a wooden work of art. And this endeavor is about more than creativity; it's about supporting our family and helping other families build together. With all my heart, I thank the talented family and friends whose dedication shaped the design of our very first wooden tray. The excitement for THE TRĀ soon outpaced what we could make ourselves, so today we partner with a manufacturer to keep trays in stock, built to the same design we refined piece by piece.

I sit here typing this story (in Grammarly, because I'm terrible with grammar) as tears fall down my face, with extreme love for all those people in my life who believed, and continue to believe, in me. Through trials and triumphs, I've learned to chase dreams, follow my heart, and persevere despite failures.

Much like the different builds that land on our trays, our story is a testament to inspiration, dedication, and belief in yourself and others. So let our journey inspire you to pursue your dreams, follow your heart, and keep pressing forward, because from each challenge emerges an opportunity to craft a masterpiece. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here and showing up for my dreams.

Xo, Emilee