The story of Jeremiah Joe Coffee begins in 1995 with the birth of our oldest daughter, Madison. She was more than what we hoped for—beautiful, smart, happy…and ours. Our lives, forever changed. If you’re a parent, you know the feeling.

When Madison entered toddlerhood, our lives changed again. We learned that she had a neurological disorder, resulting in various intellectual disabilities. DeWayne and I struggled with what this meant for her and for our family. We grieved as our dreams and hopes for her were shattered. In an effort to comfort us, someone shared the verse Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you, not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Instead of relief, I felt frustration. How could these words be true for Madison?

In a conversation with friends, I mentioned that one of the things that will make heaven “heaven” for me is that Madison will be whole. A friend in that circle responded with the idea that maybe in heaven, it will be us who will become whole, as we will be able to see the beauty and perfection that Madison already is.

Our days with Madison are not without struggle or heartbreak, but they are also full of purpose, hope, and beauty. She has changed our worldview. More than any other person, she teaches us about ourselves, our marriage, people, what is important and what is not so important. She models love, pure emotion, persistence, and forgiveness. And she is always looking forward to her next adventure.

Madison is why we chose to put “Jeremiah” in our name. With every passing day, she’s teaching us that every person is beautiful and has purpose. So while our goal is to serve you the best cup of coffee, the beauty is serving you.