why not?

Of course, this was best.

Of course not.

Maybe slightly better would have been Qe2ch, with the view to bringing the rook in behind it

I was wondering what was better. I would've played 23.Qe2+, but I like this move just as well. In addition, 23.Re1+ also came to mind, believe it or not.

Oops - There was in fact but one move to keep the game going: 23...Kf8. White would have had to consolidate, and it is actually not that easy to work out a good consolidation plan. The knights are out of it, though I'd probably consider giving up the one on h8 by playing 24.Ng6ch hxg6 25.Bxg6, with the latent threat of Qe8#. That would have kept the f6-knight in place. Then, g3, Kg2, Qe2, Rhe1, again being alert to any attempts by Black to interfere with that plan or turn the tables. Having regrouped and reorganised, White would then be in a position to mount the final assault.

I am lost for words...

White was certainly a whole lot more 'on the case' than was Black. Even when overlooking opportunities to win material the moves she actually chose were by and large well-motivated. A good win, then, however one-sided the actual game.

Black seems distracted

I think black was and missed important opportunities. In contrast, I am not lost in words and think that you played impressively well Erika. The only thing is that you did miss opportunities to win his N and a pawn early on which Bonnie noted. And, of course, we all miss opportunities. And, you blundered a pawn which could happen at any stage. However, my main advise is to find an opening that best suits you and stick with it. My recommendation is to keep playing 1.e4 as that's my main opening as well. But, otherwise, you took advantage of his other blunders.