Hi! My name is Leticia, and lately, I have been yearning for more… more than reels (for real!) more connection and less distraction.  

I am writing to weave all the small moments in life, the fun, loving, messy, and imperfect – and hope to translate them into joy. The quiet mornings, the first sip of coffee, stories and lessons told from generations to generations… These are the moments that shape me. I want to gather them here and share them with you and hopefully my children one day. Welcome to Alegria, the first chapter of my journey in Joy in Translation.  

As I am typing this… I realize I am living out my Carrie Bradshaw writer dreams… the house is quiet, it’s still dark outside, I am typing on my laptop, sipping that first taste of a hot cup of coffee.

Far from single in NYC though! If I had to introduce myself, I would say I am Leticia, a Brazilian American immigrant, mother of two, architect, married to a retired military veteran, co-founder of Contenta360, beach and city girl living in the smack middle of the country in the Bible Belt. It sounds surreal to say all of that. Because it’s weird to label everything you’ve done. None of them is my identity, and all of it is the sum of my life.

I am, and have always been, Joy. Literally, the meaning of Leticia is ‘Alegria’, translated ‘joy’. Just like my name, joy sounds more beautiful in Portuguese.

I can’t think of a better way to describe the goal of my life, other than to find Joy in all the things. The big and little things that add up to your life. I haven’t always been joyful. Now, when I think back to younger me, I can’t help but think, why not?

This holiday of thankful and giving, I am finding time to Reflect.

I am thankful, for being raised by the strongest, kindest, most talkative woman. My mother, Eliani, who raised us with perseverance, love, gratitude, kindness and laughter. If it sounds too good to be true, she almost is.

My life has been filled with connection and community. Big family dinners with card game traditions. Road trips. Homemade meals. Always room for one more at the table.

Overflow gatherings – the ones where the conversations are so good, you move from the dining chair to the sofa chair and stay way too long talking, laughing like hyenas.

I am thankful for being an immigrant – and thankful for my mother being a warrior and carrying us through a survival era that has led me in so many inspirational ways. For her teaching us to always ask questions. Possibly the best skill set to have in life! Thankful for speaking multiple languages, for having lived in extremely different places.

I am thankful for a life that has led me to see the world as one planet where a bunch of humans drew lines and labeled maps, but the common thread is, we are all human.

All my experiences make me want to travel, explore and learn about the world and celebrate its different and cultural ways.

I am so interested in the universal language of gatherings, numbers, food, art and dance, that transcend language barriers and move your heart.

From now on, I am only interested in doing things I find Joy, in.

May we all find Joy in our lives, in the everyday moments we have been gifted and often overlook.

With Joy,

Leticia