New Product - Kids Tallow Balm
New Product Launch : The Story Behind Charley 13
I’ve been naming each of our tallow balms with purpose each one tied to a story, a moment, or a piece of our hearts.
Charley 13 came from the story of our daughter.
She was born on May 13th, 2016, and passed away shortly after in my arms. She opened her eyes, took one breath, and then she was gone. That moment forever changed me.
I stood at a fork in the road: I could let grief make me bitter, or I could let love lead me into something bigger a way to honor her life. I didn’t want her legacy to come from pain or anger, but from hope, generosity, and healing.
Not long after, cards started arriving in the mail messages, prayers, and unexpected gifts from family and friends. The outpouring of love was overwhelming. My husband and I decided to use that money to build wells in India in Charley’s honor. We were able to fund five wells, bringing clean water to villages and schools in her name.
A few years later, we traveled to India to see them. At one school, hundreds of children had once crossed a busy street just to find water. Now, right in the middle of their schoolyard, stood Charley’s well providing water for every single child.
I thought that would be the healing moment the one where I’d cry and finally feel peace. But instead, real butterflies appeared, fluttering all around us. But no tears came, only a deep stillness. The healing wasn’t there yet it was still unfolding.
On our last day, in a small village, I met a mother holding her six-month-old son. Through a translator, she told me she wanted me to name her baby. I hesitated, but deep down I knew the name God had already written on my heart Charley. He is so good. In our deepest moments of grief He is there, leading us to more.
Now, somewhere in India, there’s a little boy named Charley and soon after, we built another well in his village: Charley’s Well.
I didn’t know how much I needed that moment. Sometimes we imagine how healing will look, but when we surrender it, the story becomes so much better than what we could have written ourselves.
It may have come a little later than the rest, but it carries everything we have learned from her precious short life - healing, hope, and the reminder that love always finds a way.
About the Tallow Balm - Charley 13
This one has been a long time coming. Honestly, it was one of the very first products I ever created but in the beginning, I wasn’t completely satisfied with it. If you’ve ever worked with unrefined tallow, you know that distinct beefyscent. When I first started making it, my dog would come running every time I put it on!
After a lot of experimenting (and a few months of refining my process), I finally found the balance I was looking for. My biggest goal was to create something pure and safe enough for babies and kids without any essential oils, fragrances, or additives. Babies’ skin is incredibly sensitive, and I wanted this balm to be simple, soothing, and deeply nourishing.
And so, Charley 13 was born a gentle tallow balm made with grass-fed tallow, shea butter, marshmallow root–infused jojoba oil, vanilla bean, and vitamin E.
I’ve gifted this balm to a few new mothers, and the sweetest part has been seeing them come back asking for more. That’s when I knew it was time to share it with all of you. 💛
It’s a special one for me in name, in heart, and in purpose. I hope you and your little ones love it as much as we do.