In 2014, Arlin and her fiancé Dominic beamed with happiness. Their tiny house business was thriving, as the popularity of these structures soared. Arlin was halfway through a healthy pregnancy, and both parents-to-be were learning about pregnancy and parenting when they enrolled in their local home visiting program.

Things changed, however, when Arlin suffered a late miscarriage. Her home visiting nurse provided much needed support for the grieving parents. "Without this program, I would have had no guidance of being pregnant, let alone coping with my tragedy," Arlin says.

When another pregnancy followed, Arlin re-enrolled in home visiting, gaining reassurance as she passed the halfway point of the pregnancy. At 26 weeks along, she and Dominic moved their business and transferred to the home visiting program in Shasta County.

"When I met my new nurse, Michelle, I was very shy, but once I got to know her I realized that she's a really amazing person. The transition from nurse to nurse was really smooth," Arlin says.

Home visiting nurse Michelle recognized the hardship the couple had endured and continued providing reassurance, along with resources, like WIC, that could help them as they settled in.

"You can only Google so much, and online is not the truest form of information, but hearing it from a nurse, that's completely different. That's having a lifeline." — Arlin

"The program helped me cope and understand," Arlin says, adding that Michelle continued to reassure her that she had not done anything wrong during her first pregnancy.

When healthy baby boy Diego was born, Michelle provided wellness visits, milestone checks and parenting education, as all home visiting nurses do. Shasta County is part of the California Home Visiting Program and follows the Nurse-Family Partnership model, which meant Arlin and her family would have the support of Michelle until Diego turned 2 years old.

Dominic and Arlin planned to have more children and were happy when they found out they were expecting again—this time with twins. Michelle continued providing education about parenting and caring for Diego, and now offered insight on carrying and raising twins. "I needed more information about something that was definitely different than having one child. Like, what do I do with twins? Can they sleep together? Michelle provided me help in so many ways," Arlin says.

That help included advice and information on nutrition, self-care and following doctor's orders. Being pregnant with multiples is a risk factor for preterm birth, so Michelle diligently monitored Arlin's health, while also checking on Diego's development and growth. The family flourished, and Arlin carried the twins to full term without incident, welcoming babies Emma and Maxwell into their hearts.

Now with three children under age 2, Arlin continues her role as CEO of the growing tiny house business. Dominic serves as architect and builder. The couple's progress with their business and parenting has impressed Michelle, who has been to the tiny house shop a few times and has witnessed Arlin juggle children alongside a demanding profession.

"Arlin has a beautiful business mind," Michelle says. "I've enjoyed encouraging her and Dominic, celebrating with them and just keeping tabs on how it's going with the business. I just loved seeing her dealing in the professional business world, and as a home visitor we don't get to see that side of a client all the time."

There is mutual admiration and respect between participant and home visitor, and Arlin expresses a great sense of gratitude for her nurses and the home visiting program. Without it, she says, "I would be lost in so many ways. I know if something happens to one of my kids, I can just text Nurse Michelle. You can only Google so much, and online is not the truest form of information, but hearing it from a nurse, that's completely different. That's having a lifeline."