Before Everything Changed
We all have a past — some parts beautiful, some parts painful, and some parts we barely recognize anymore.
For me? My story is more of a ‘rags to hand-me-downs’ kind of story 😅 … and honestly, I’m still somewhere in the middle of the journey. If the riches part ever happens, I’ll definitely come back and share that too.
But this post isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about growth, survival, motherhood, and rebuilding a life one step at a time.
Where My Story Really Begins
Before the house, the stability, and the life I have now… there was a very different version of me.
Yes… let’s go all the way back to 2012. I know — that feels like forever ago 😅
In 2012, I was 26 years old and had just welcomed my third and final baby into the world.
At the time, I was a high school dropout raising a 4-year-old little girl, a 2-year-old boy, and a newborn daughter… all while trying to figure out life one day at a time.
Being a mom is the best thing that ever happened to me.
My kids gave me a reason to keep fighting, even on the days I felt completely lost.
I wanted to become someone they could look up to someday — not because I was perfect, but because I never gave up.
The Moment Things Started Changing
I knew something had to change. I wanted to build a better life for my kids and become someone they could be proud of someday.
So in 2013, I started attending GED classes for young mothers. One of the biggest blessings was being able to bring my kids with me while I attended classes. As an overly protective mom, that meant everything to me.
For the first time in a long time, I felt a small spark of hope. Those classes opened doors I never thought were possible and gave me the confidence to believe my life could become something more.
Long story short 😅 — in 2014, I earned my GED. At the time, my children were 6, 4, and 2 years old, and later that fall, I started taking college courses.
From Surviving to Thriving
College is where everything started changing for me. My mindset changed, my confidence grew, and my goals for our future became bigger.
In May of 2017, I graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Office Technology along with a certificate in Medical Technology. For the first time in a long time, I felt proud of myself.
Life slowly started improving. I went from struggling and surviving to creating stability for my kids and me. In 2019, we moved into a small apartment, and by 2021, after a lot of saving, planning, and hard work, I was able to buy the home we still live in today.
I had promised my kids that one day I would give them a home of their own after years of apartment living. Being able to keep that promise is a feeling I still can’t fully describe.
For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was just surviving anymore… I was finally thriving.
Still Fighting, Still Growing
In 2021, I met the man who is now my husband, and in 2024 we got married. Life still has rough days, and I still face challenges, but now when hard seasons come, I look back at everything I’ve already survived
Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by life that we start second-guessing ourselves, our goals, and the direction we’re headed. I’ve learned that your mindset matters more than you realize. The more negativity you feed, the heavier life feels. But when you keep fighting, keep hoping, and keep pushing forward… things slowly begin to change.
Life will always have ups and downs. It’s okay to have hard days. It’s okay to cry, rest, or feel discouraged for a little while. Just don’t unpack and live there.
One thing I know for sure is this: my past didn’t break me. It made me stronger.
If there’s one thing I hope people take from my story, it’s this — never stop fighting for a better life, even when the road feels impossible.
Then keep your warm closing after that:
I hope when you read my blog it brings warmth to your heart and a smile to your face.
Until next time, have a Blessed Day! 🤍