My wife grew up cooking. Her love for the kitchen began at a young age, shortly after her father and brother passed. Throughout our time over the last 20-something years, I’ve seen her take on the role of family chef.

That love led her to culinary school, where she became a certified chef, to serve at a church on staff for fifteen years running food service, and now back home to her favorite place- the family kitchen. One would think that you would eventually burn out when you’ve used your gifts to serve people who were often ungrateful and, at times, undervalued you as a person.

Not so.

Growing up, my grandmother was my biggest hero. And I see a lot of my grandmother in my wife—someone who always puts her family’s needs, desires, and well-being above her own. Through February, my wife has set a personal goal not to buy bread products for the month and to bake it all. I loved this idea because her bread is always perfect and tastes much better than store-bought bread. The smell brings back memories of my grandmother working in the kitchen. And that’s a smell I want my kids to remember.

We often need to remember that heroes and legacy aren’t those with big followings. Many of us seek to make significant impacts, be known, and change the world with one TikTok at a time. But that’s not how the world is changed.

I hope my children don’t see the YouTubers they enjoy as their heroes. I hope they see them as entertainment. I hope they remember the sacrifice and love their mother pours out over them, the little things, the small points in life that seem minor but have a lasting impact.

Because that is what a hero does.

For me, it was watching my grandmother make french toast with a fresh loaf of bread she had just baked.

I’ve learned that for my wife, her bread, and her life, are all about serving the ones she loves. That’s a lesson I, my kids, and I hope you, can learn.