Meet Terrin

In 2008, while I was a sophomore in college, my mother suffered a stroke that changed our family's life forever. Following her stroke, she lived with right-sided weakness and limited mobility. As the oldest daughter and the only nurse in my immediate family, I felt a deep responsibility to help navigate her care, advocate for her well-being, and support her throughout her journey.

When medical decisions need to be made, I am often the first call. There have been moments when the demands of caregiving felt overwhelming. I remember receiving a call while my plane was landing that my father had been taken to the emergency department. Within forty-eight hours, I was on a flight to Ohio to be by his side.

Less than a month after his discharge, my mother experienced a medical emergency that once again required my immediate attention. Balancing a career dedicated to serving others with the responsibility of caring for loved ones has taught me firsthand about sacrifice, compassion fatigue, and the emotional weight many caregivers carry every day.

While those words reminded me of my strength and purpose, they also taught me something equally important. Caregivers must care for themselves too.

That lesson became the inspiration behind After VII. After VII is more than a wine brand. It is a reminder that those who spend their lives pouring into others deserve moments of restoration for themselves. It is an invitation to pause, breathe, reflect, and embrace self-care without guilt.

I do not encourage others to prioritize their well-being because it sounds good. I encourage it because I live this journey every day. As a nurse, caregiver, daughter, and founder, I have learned that we cannot continue to give from a place of depletion.

Through After VII, I hope to build a community that celebrates caregivers, healthcare professionals, and healers while creating lasting impact through support for nursing education and respite care initiatives.