Elevated Western EleganceMeets the Joy of Mahjongg

Sometimes life changes directions when you least expect it.

After a major life transition in South Dakota, I found myself searching for healing, purpose, connection, and joy. Little did I know that an invitation from my Aunt Lorna — my Godmother — would gently guide me toward all of those things and completely change my life.

In September 2025, I came to the Texas coast carrying uncertainty, hope, and honestly… a little fear about starting over. Aunt Lorna invited me to learn Mahjongg, a game I had heard about but truly believed was far too complicated for me to ever understand — much less master.

I was apprehensive from the very first lesson. But Aunt Lorna was patient, energetic, encouraging, and wonderfully tenacious. She simply would not let me quit. When I became frustrated, she laughed with me. When I doubted myself, she reassured me. When I wanted to give up, she reminded me that learning something new keeps both the mind and spirit alive.

After only playing three times, I participated — and became a member — in my first Woman's Club of Aransas County Mahjongg event. After just playing six times, Aunt Lorna entered me in my first tournament.

And something magical happened. What I discovered was so much more than a game. I found laughter. I found confidence. I found community. I found friendships. I found purpose. I found women and men who encouraged one another, celebrated one another, and welcomed newcomers with open arms around the Mahjongg table.

Mahjongg became a bridge — connecting generations, backgrounds, stories, and hearts around a table filled with conversation, strategy, humor, and support. The social interaction, the brain stimulation, the camaraderie, the joy of learning together… it is truly difficult to fully describe unless you've experienced it yourself.

Fast forward and another beautiful connection entered the story. I met Deidra, owner of Design Concepts in Corpus Christi. What began as a simple hair appointment quickly turned into friendship. During our appointment, Mahjongg naturally came up in conversation because Deidra had always wanted to learn the game.

Soon, Deidra came to our Casita along bringing colleagues and family members, discovering firsthand the excitement and connection Mahjongg creates. She graciously opened the doors of her salon and boutique to host classes, and I was honored to teach several groups there filled with wonderful women and men eager to learn this engaging, brain-stimulating, social game.

Watching people gather, laugh, learn, and build confidence around the Mahjongg table lit something inside of me. That is when Olie & LaLa Events by Brown Coaching was born.

Named after my sons Thomas and Logan's oldest daughters, my beautiful granddaughters, Olivia ("Olie") and Larek ("LaLa"), this company represents family, legacy, connection, joy, and the belief that it is never too late to start something new.

Mahjongg has become life-changing and honestly, lifesaving for this coastal western girl. It brought me healing during the season of rebuilding. It introduced me to incredible friendships and opportunities. Most importantly, it reminded me that joy can still be found in unexpected places.

Today, my passion is sharing this experience with others through lessons, tournaments, social events, coaching, and community gatherings that bring people together one tile at a time.

And this is only the beginning.