We’re sharing this with a lot of love and a little vulnerability.

If you know Payton, you know the kitchen has always been his place. As a kid, he wasn’t asking for toys. He was asking for spices, herbs, and anything new he could experiment with. Some of our favorite memories are of him in the kitchen after school, or cooking with family during the holidays, completely in his element. For him, food has always been more than food, it’s how he connects, learns, and shows love.

This year has been a big one. Payton was accepted into several amazing universities, and we were so proud. But when he got accepted into the Culinary Institute of America, something clicked. It didn’t just feel like an option, it felt like his path.

After a lot of prayer and honest conversations, he made the decision to go for it.

As parents, all we’ve ever wanted for our kids was to find what they love and have the courage to pursue it and we are incredibly proud of him for doing just that.

We’re doing everything we can to support him. Even with him receiving $26,000 in scholarships, him taking a student loan and Payton and I paying 25% of the cost. we’re still short about $7,000 per year for this two-year program.

Many of you also know that we care for Payton’s grandmother, who is bedridden, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Although It’s something we do with love, it does come with growing financial responsibilities, especially with rising insurance costs and the need for additional caregiving support. It’s made this moment a little more challenging than we hoped.

So we’re asking for help.

If you’re in a place to give, share this, or even just keep Payton in your thoughts and prayers, it truly means more than we can express. This isn’t just about school—it’s about helping a young man step fully into the life he’s been working toward for years.

Thank you for being part of our lives and for supporting Payton’s journey to Culinary School in any way you can.

With love,

Kim and Payton