Why We Founded Creating Our Forever — A Story from the Heart

Hi, I'm Lorena — wife, mother to four amazing boys, and cofounder of Creating Our Forever alongside my husband, Gary. I'm so grateful you're here, because the story of how this all began is not just about building beautiful spaces — it's about building a meaningful life, a legacy, and a future we can be proud of.

A Dream Built on Love, Creativity, and Purpose

Creating Our Forever started with a dream. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved interior design — rearranging rooms as a kid, getting giddy over color palettes, and always imagining how to make a house feel like a home. But for years, that passion stayed in the background while life took center stage: raising our sons, moving with the military, supporting Gary through deployments.

But something shifted.

I wanted more than just a hobby — I wanted to create something lasting. Something that showed our children what it looks like to chase a dream, build from the heart, and never give up — no matter how unconventional the path. Creating Our Forever became my way of stepping into my passion and showing our boys (one of whom is now completely convinced he's NFL-bound... probably!) that their dreams matter too.

Design has given me a way to turn creativity into purpose. I love sitting down with a client and asking, “What’s your dream for this space?” and then helping bring that vision to life. Your home should reflect you — your personality, your story, your forever.

From the Military to a Mission

While Creating Our Forever began with my personal dream, it quickly became our mission. Gary and I were married shortly after he returned from a deployment to Afghanistan. That first year of marriage? It was anything but ordinary — spent navigating Army life, constant change, and the uncertainty of what came next.

When Gary transitioned out of the military, we experienced firsthand just how hard that process can be. It’s not just about a new job or new routine — it’s about identity, healing, purpose. And for many veterans, the struggle is heavy. PTSD. Homelessness. Suicide. These are the heartbreaking realities that touch too many lives.

We knew we had to do something.

A Legacy Bigger Than Ourselves

Our long-term goal for Creating Our Forever goes far beyond home design. Yes, we want to create beautiful, custom spaces for families. But more than that, we want to build a company that changes lives — starting with our veterans.

We envision a future where Creating Our Forever is a place of opportunity: where struggling or homeless veterans can find training, purpose, and a new beginning. Whether it’s learning a trade, developing skills in design or construction, or even pursuing higher education through future scholarships — we want to give back to those who’ve given so much.

This is Just the Beginning

We’re still growing, still learning, and still dreaming — just like the homes we help design. But every day we get to wake up and do something that matters. For our family. For our community. For those who’ve served.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

With gratitude and purpose,

Lorena