YOU BELONG here. You are enough. Those words are not just positive, encouraging phrases. They are a small part of one Lynchburg resident’s mission to raise awareness of and point people to resources about mental health.
Jessica Wells and her husband, Alex, met in the operating room of a local hospital where she worked as a surgical tech and he as a registered nurse. They got married and started a family. Jessica’s mom and dad stepped in to watch their kids every day so both could continue their careers. Jessica’s parents, who worked different shifts from each other, fed the kids, drove them to school when they became of age, and provided all of the fun grandparents could deliver.
One day, that valuable help with the kids radically changed. Jessica and Alex were home when her father suffered a fatal heart attack. They both worked to resuscitate him, but it was too late. Her father was gone. That day occurred six years ago, and it launched Jessica into several years of struggling with her mental health. She said instead of seeking help for her grief and loss, she immersed herself in helping and serving others.
“I was just trying to find my way back to joy and peace and happiness,” Jessica shared.
She wanted to serve others much like she had in her job in the operating room, but the more she worked, the less her emotions improved. For the first couple of years after her father’s death, she barely processed the deep impact losing him made on her and her family. Jessica knew she needed to talk to someone, so she sought out a mental health therapist. She said taking that bold first step was significant for her because when she was growing up, mental health issues weren’t discussed openly. She was very intimidated by the whole idea.
Jessica discovered that therapy was truly life-changing. Her therapist encouraged her to find something she loved to do that could be the spark to get herself back on track. She admitted she’s always loved to bake. Her therapist suggested that she take that creative heart in the kitchen and consider what she could do to help bring back her joy. The suggestion led Jessica to a simple and tasty thought: waffle pops.
Waffle pops are popsicle-shaped waffles with a traditional buttermilk base that Jessica created. Waffle pops feature either sweet or savory options that are baked on the outside or infused inside the pops. She also bakes savory waffle sandwiches such as hot Italian, hot ham and cheese, and a happy Cristo. The items are shaped like a pressed panini sandwich but feature the small squares of a waffle. Jessia’s most popular treats are her strawberry cheesecake waffle pop and her pizza waffle, both customer favorites. The Happy Waffle features 25 flavors, with the list growing each month.
2023 was a year full of designing.
Jessica explained, “I wanted people to have an experience when they come up to the truck and not just have a logo slapped on the truck. It was important to craft that experience for our customers.”
In January, Jessica purchased a food truck and put the waffle pops on display. But the waffle pops were only part of her business model.
“We believe in more than just tasty treats. We believe in spreading positivity and mental health awareness.”
The Happy Waffle’s motto is, “Serving up smiles, one waffle at a time!” The encouraging words found on every waffle pop stick are more than just phrases, reflecting Jessica’s commitment to helping others find their way back to joy. In October, The Happy Waffle food truck joined the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as a vendor for one of its “Out of the Darkness” walks in Lynchburg.
“It’s tough out there, and you always think you’re the only one going through it,” Jessica explained, “You don’t realize how many others are going through similar things. You’re not alone in this.”
Jessica recently leased a storefront at 17980 Forest Road, which her family will be renovating over the next few months, with a planned January opening. She plans to expand the mental health resources she provides by dedicating a corner of the new shop where customers can find business cards and pamphlets that refer to local counseling centers and mental health services.
Jessica’s story is a powerful reminder that in our greatest struggles, we can find the strength to help others, one small act of kindness at a time. GN
