How a Pair of Penguins Totally Changed Our Lives

On March 25, 2019, my husband Matthew asked me a life-changing question: “Will you be my husband?” Without hesitation, I said “Yes!” and we began planning our special day. We agreed on almost every detail—the flowers, the music, the cake—but there was one item we couldn’t see eye to eye on: the wedding invitations.

I wanted to include a photograph of the “grooms-to-be,” but Matthew wasn’t keen on the idea. Instead, he smiled and suggested, “Why don’t you draw us?” As an illustrator, I loved the idea and got to work. However, instead of drawing us as humans, I opted for penguins. Why penguins? “Because penguins are already dressed in formal wear!” I joked.

To add a splash of personality, I gave the penguins rainbow-colored bowties. That’s when the name “Pengrooms” popped into my head. The invitations featuring our penguin doppelgangers were a hit, and when our big day arrived on December 15, 2019, the Pengrooms made an appearance—on our decorations, our programs, and even our wedding cake! They became our unofficial mascots.

After our honeymoon, I found myself wondering: What would the Pengrooms be doing on their honeymoon? The thought inspired me to sketch a playful scene and share it online. The response was overwhelmingly positive. I continued illustrating the Pengrooms in different scenarios: celebrating Christmas, enjoying date nights, and even navigating the challenges of the pandemic. Each whimsical drawing resonated with our social media followers, and Matthew saw an opportunity.

“Why don’t you turn this into a children’s book?” he suggested one day in April 2020.

“What should it be about?” I asked.

“The Pengrooms, of course!” he replied.

That same day, I sat down to bring the idea to life. The first step was giving our penguin characters names. I chose “Pringle” because it sounded fun and quirky, and Matthew thought “Finn” was a perfect complement. With that, Pringle and Finn were born.

Creating the book was a labor of love and teamwork—qualities that mirror the story itself. As someone with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, illustrating is a challenge. But thanks to adaptive technology on my tablet, I can still pursue my passion. It takes longer, but it’s worth every second. Matthew became my art director and editor, offering feedback and encouragement every step of the way.

Exactly two years after Matthew’s suggestion, in April 2022, we published Pringle and Finn’s first adventure. The story centers on love, friendship, and teamwork—a fitting reflection of how the book came to be. To our delight, it struck a chord with readers and has since gone into its fourth printing.

For me, Pringle and Finn is more than a children’s book. It’s a celebration of creativity, perseverance, and the love I share with Matthew. These penguins started as a fun addition to our wedding but have become a beloved part of our lives and the lives of our readers.

Whether you’re discovering Pringle and Finn for the first time or have been following their journey from the beginning, thank you for being part of their story—and ours.