Her Strength
A candle inspired by two women who showed us what strength, compassion, and love truly look like.
Her Strength began with my mother, Cheryl.
My mother was one of those people who cared deeply about others. She taught at Ygnacio Valley High School (YVHS) in Concord, California, where she was known for helping students who were struggling with their schoolwork. Some were football players trying to keep their grades up so they could stay on the field. To her, they weren't just students on a roster. They were young people who needed someone in their corner.
At night, she continued teaching, helping adults learn English as a second language. Helping people wasn't simply something she did for a living. It was part of who she was.
She raised two biological sons and a daughter, and when she remarried, our family grew with even more sons and daughters. Family, much like everything else in her life, was something she gave herself to completely.
After retiring from the school district, she focused on her own company, Sandcastle™, where she used hypnosis and other techniques to help people work through challenges in their lives. That name would eventually become part of her legacy in a way I don't think any of us could have predicted.
Then came breast cancer.
My mother was diagnosed and given a very short amount of time to live.
But Cheryl didn't do anything halfway.
She lived years beyond what she had originally been told.
During that journey, she became involved with Relay for Life and eventually became a major part of it. When my mother believed in something, she was either all in or not in at all. Cancer didn't change that.
Her name was Cheryl, although many people lovingly called her Cherry.
Years later, breast cancer entered my family again when my wife, Victoria—who prefers to be called Vicky—was diagnosed.
Thankfully, her cancer was caught in time. She fought through treatment and won that battle. Since then there have been a few frightening moments, but she continues moving forward.
In many ways, Vicky reminds me of my mother.
Her biggest weakness may also be one of her greatest strengths: she cares too much.
Sometimes she cares more about another person's well-being than that person seems to care about themselves. She wants to help. She wants people to be okay. And when someone she loves is struggling, she carries part of that struggle with them.
During Vicky's breast cancer journey, she became involved with an organization and an annual walk that raises money to support the fight against breast cancer. My son and I walk with her, too. We've only missed one walk, and even that year we continued fundraising.
A Fragrance Inspired by Care
That journey also helped shape the scent of Her Strength. I wanted a fragrance that felt fresh, balanced, and welcoming to people of any gender.
Ocean Breeze brings an airy freshness, while Sea Salt & Orchid adds soft floral notes and a fresh, coastal character.
Above all, I wanted it to carry the love and care I witnessed in two remarkable women.
Her Strength honors my mother, Cheryl, whose compassion touched students, families, cancer survivors, and countless others throughout her life.
It honors my wife, Vicky, who fought breast cancer and continues to stand beside others going through that same journey.
And it honors every person who has fought, survived, supported someone they love, or carries the memory of someone who is no longer here.
The Sandcastles Collection™ carries forward a small part of my mother's legacy.
And with every Her Strength candle sold, $2.00 will be donated to support the annual breast cancer walk that Vicky, my son, and I participate in and fundraise for each year.
This candle celebrates the people whose compassion, courage, and love continue to shape our lives.
It's about compassion.
It's about family.
It's about showing up for someone when they need you.
It's about fighting longer than anyone expected.
It's about caring—sometimes more than you probably should.
And above all…
It's about Her Strength.
Bring Her Strength Home
Discover Sea Salt & Orchid and Ocean Breeze in a 9.3 oz jar or 2.7 oz tin.
Every Candle Has a Story.