Hi, I’m Riley Benado – a full-time working mom to two incredible kids, Brixton (4) and Lakelyn (2), who I share with my high school sweetheart, Tyler. Together, we’re building our little world, one beautiful (yet chaotic) moment at a time.

Writing has always been my passion, and I feel deep in my bones that this is my calling – to open my heart and share my experiences in the hopes that someone, somewhere, might find a little inspiration through my words. Everything I write here comes from the deepest love and heart I have to give – from me to you.

I created With Heart to share my story and to inspire others through the challenges and opportunities I’ve experienced. Twice, I’ve fought and overcome ovarian cancer – a battle that, at one point, left me wondering if I would ever have the chance to become a mother. But against the odds, here I am, raising two wonderful children and living a dream I once thought was out of reach. This journey has taught me to find ordinary things to be extraordinary.

This blog will be a combination of my personal story, my interests, journal entries, interviews with people that are making a difference, and hopefully relatable experiences that you can connect with. I’ll also dive into my favorite part of life, motherhood. Having two toddlers so close in age is pure chaos – constant messes, sibling fights, and endless energy – but at the same time, they’re the best of friends, always laughing, hugging, and reminding me how beautiful the chaos can be.

Even if With Heart only reaches one person, that’s enough for me. Life is too short to wait for the “perfect moment,” and I’ve realized that sharing our experiences and the wisdom we gain along the way is important – because we can’t take any of it with us. So, I decided to take the leap and start this writing journey, trusting that it’s the right time to begin.

Thank you for being here and reading with me as I share the ups and downs of life, lessons learned along the way, and the things that make me, well, me.

With Heart,

Riley

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