WORK-LIFE BALANCE

East coast native Jessica White met her husband, Patrick, the first week of college at Xavier University in Cincinnati. “We have been together since we were 18 and he is my partner and my best friend,” says Jessica, who moved to Chicago after graduating and began working as a nurse. “I got accepted into Nurse Anesthetist School and completed my anesthesia residency and master’s from DePaul University. I have worked as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for 16 years, first in the hospital setting and now in private practice.” It’s a profession she takes pride in, and rightfully so. “It takes a minimum of nine years to become a nurse anesthetist and CRNA’s deliver over 50 percent of the anesthesia in the country,” she explains. “I have been CRNA for 16 years and absolutely love my job and feel lucky to go to work every day. I am with my patients every breath they take, making sure they are anesthetized, pain free, and stable.” At home in Lake Forest with Patrick, 11-year-old daughter Abby, and 10-year-old son Connor, Jessica is also living her best life. “My husband is an avid golfer, my son plays hockey all year round, and my daughter is a social butterfly who is active in lacrosse and swimming,” she says, explaining that the family chose Lake Forest because of its charming downtown and access to the lake. “Spending quality time with my children is something I find so important. My husband is an amazing cook and even with everyone’s hectic schedules we try and eat together at night.” While working such a demanding job and balancing life at home is not always easy, Jessica loves being a working mom. “I feel like I am constantly busy, but it is so rewarding to have a job that helps people every day. I am proud that I am showing my children that you can be both a mom and have a fulfilling career.”

Favorite thing about Lake Forest? I love that we have such a vibrant downtown where you can shop, eat, and always run into a friend. Favorite sports team? The Chicago Blackhawks are my favorite sports team to watch! My son plays hockey so I feel like I am always watching some kind of hockey game. Favorite TV show to binge? Friends. If my husband and I are watching a show together, I would say Yellowstone. Guilty pleasure? I love reading romance novels. I am in a book club with some of my dearest friends and I love that we read best sellers and fine literature so I don’t feel guilty when I read a romance novel. Interior design aesthetic? Our home is 100 years old, and I try to mix the home’s history in the design. I would say farmhouse chic. Favorite thing about being a mom? Watching my children grow into independent people. Since I work full-time, when I am home with Abby and Connor I really try to be present and not multitask. Family dinners are my favorite part of the day. Favorite childhood memory? When I was in middle school, we rented an RV and took a two-week trip out west to “see America,” as my parents would say. There were no iPads or cell phones, so we played games, read books, and ended up having the best time. This year we are trying to recreate this trip for Abby and Connor, minus the RV. I am hoping we have just as good of a time as I did as a little girl. Favorite movie to watch with your kids? Christmas movies! I think over the holiday season we watched Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on repeat. Favorite way to stay fit? I enjoy walking outside all year round. For the last few years, I have done the walk around Lake Geneva, which is 22 miles. It is one of my most favorite days of the year. Thing about you that people find most surprising? That I have played golf since I was 8 years old. Favorite Chicago escape? The Peninsula hotel. Any pets? I have a 100-pound white lab named Bucky who is almost 5 years old and likes to eat everything. Favorite place to relax? The beach. I love going on beach vacations or even just walking down the Lake Forest beach. Favorite local restaurant? Sophia Steak.