So what is this SHMILY thing all about?
SHMILY Tree Cakery holds a deeply personal history rooted in love, family, and caring for others.
The name “SHMILY” stands for See How Much I Love You — a tradition started by my grandfather. He would quietly write “SHMILY” on notes, scraps of paper, mugs, and little places around the house for my grandmother to find throughout the day as a simple reminder of how deeply he loved her. Their love was steady, selfless, and the kind that left a lasting impact on everyone around them.
My grandparents were home bakers long before custom cakes and dessert tables became what they are today. They baked wedding cakes, breads, desserts, and meals not simply because they enjoyed baking, but because it was how they showed love. They used food to comfort people during difficult times, celebrate important milestones, care for neighbors who were sick, and uplift others when they were struggling. Their kitchen was a place of generosity, connection, and community.
After they passed, our pastor once described their love as branches of a tree extending far beyond what we could see, touching countless lives along the way. That image stayed with me and became part of the heart behind SHMILY Tree.
Inspired by their legacy, I pursued culinary education and eventually opened a bakery on the Gulf Coast alongside my incredible mothers. Later, after returning to the Midwest and earning my Social Work degree, baking continued to be a creative outlet and meaningful way for me to connect with and care for others.
Over time, I felt called to fully return to baking and cake design, but with a larger vision in mind — combining both my culinary background and my experience in social work. At the center of SHMILY Tree is the belief that everyone deserves moments of joy, celebration, and comfort, even during life’s hardest seasons. Sometimes a birthday cake, a loaf of bread, or a thoughtfully shared dessert can remind someone they are loved and not alone.
Another exciting part of this journey is the completion of the SHMILY Trailer, which will allow me to serve communities more directly and eventually participate in disaster relief and outreach efforts.
As SHMILY Tree continues to grow, my hope is that it remains more than just a bakery. I hope it becomes a way to continue the legacy my grandparents started — showing love through kindness, generosity, service, and the simple act of sharing something made with care.