I will never forget the day I had four different doctors tell me that there would be no chance of me ever having a healthy pregnancy and have a safe delivery. The out pour of emotions I felt made all the color leave my body and I sat still in silence for a moment without ever responding to the doctors. More than anything in the world, I always wanted to become a mom. I was born with a nurturing spirit. Growing up as a little girl at the age of just two years old I took on the responsibilities of taking care of my younger sister Armani that was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called “metachromatic leukodystrophy” that causes loss of motor skills, muscle functions and memory loss. I learned how to feed my sister, change her medicine tubes, and keep her clean. Honestly, from what I remember it never felt like a job to me, I just enjoyed being able to spend time with my sister and making her happy. I was grateful to have her and I always cherished our time together. Unfortunately, with this disorder her life expectancy was cut short. At the age of five years old she took her last breath in my fathers arms and I prayed that one day I could become a loving mother and take care of my daughter the way I nurtured my sister. My health was declining significantly and the amount of stress i endured on a day to day was leading me down a path to destruction. I prayed constantly and asked God to guide me, to please take over. I didn’t have any fight left in me to bare anymore harm to myself. God spoke to me and reassured me that I will become what I was destined to be if I’m willing to sacrifice and start all over. Give up unhealthy eating habits, toxic people in my life, and looking for love in all the wrong places. I began writing in my journal more often and just about everyday I wrote at least one thing I’m grateful for to express my gratitude. Changing my perspective on life and letting go of all that no longer served me, elevated my life tremendously. I had no particular timing in mind. I was focused on the “win” and not “when” all that was promised to me would happen. I was grateful to be on the right track and getting back to me. Redefining my self worth and understanding what it means to love myself just as I am and how to be a better me. Yet, six months later I met the love of my life not knowing he would be more than I could ever imagine in a partner. My best friend, teammate, lover, and protector. We developed our relationship with peace, love, and understanding. During this time, my partner also respected and supported my healthy lifestyle and did everything in his power to ensure I was at my best. After a year of being together, we got the greatest surprise on his birthday. I was pregnant! We were so overjoyed and nervous all at once. Soon as we found out, i immediately thought about what all those doctors told me and I decided to erase that from my mind and speak life, peace, and love into my pregnancy. On March 13,2022 I gave birth to my beautiful healthy baby girl Armani. We both decided to name our daughter after my sister. My daughter has her own personal angel watching over her. Life has truly shown me that even in times of strife, to always be grateful. You never know what’s waiting for you on the other side of the storm.

I was born & raised in the hottest city on earth, MIAMI! Yet, it’s 95 degrees outside on a Saturday afternoon and I have on a leather jacket. In fact, on any day of the week in the heat I wore a jacket. I don’t know how I survived the heat wearing a jacket for so long without passing out but the weight of my insecurities always covered me. I was so subconscious about my skin and being underweight that I didn’t like what I saw when I looked in the mirror. I didn’t like looking at my body uncovered. Honestly, I just didn’t like “ME”. So, I threw on a jacket and it put my mind at ease to cover up my body. I didn’t always think this way about myself but when I constantly heard this in all aspects of my life, I started to believe it to be true. I believed something was wrong with my body. Until a few years later, I was invited to creative direct for Miami Swim Fashion Week and one of the models dropped out at the last minute and the designer was a dear friend of mine. She desperately asked me to walk in the fashion show for her in a two piece bathing suit. No cover up no beach jacket, just a 2 string bathing suit. Before she could get it all out, I immediately froze and I turned to her and said “I’LL DO IT!”. But in the back of my mind, all the color left my body and I wanted to break down and cry. In the midst of all my intrusive thoughts, I kept hearing my subconscious tell me “THIS IS YOUR TIME TO BREAK FREE, ITS TIME TO LET GO!”. I immediately scrambled to the dressing room to change clothes and with less than 5 minutes to get into hair & make up, I put on my bathing suit and made my way to the stage and in the midst of me walking out to the crowd my heart was beating a millions miles a minute and I closed my eyes to tell myself “YOU GOT THIS!”. Moments later I opened my eyes and began strutting down the runway. I immediately felt this overwhelming power let go of me, and that became an out of body experience. I started to feel like no one else was in the room but me and all of the lights, like I was floating. I felt amazing I felt so free, especially not with a heavy leather jacket on that was not only weighing down on my body but it was harboring my spirit too. I left that stage that day realizing that I am divinely made, one of kind and most importantly, it’s ok to love myself and my body. I LOVE ME

I spent long hours working overnight at the mall to support myself through school, and when my shift was over the sun was coming up and you were always right there, yet you never uttered a word. It almost felt like you were waiting for me. The same time, same spot, and same bus number every morning I came out. I never knew your name and you never knew mine but anytime we made eye contact, it was an unspoken reassurance that kept us both coming to that mall to work long hours and make sure we got on that same bus on time every morning. Until one day, I got off work just a few minutes later than usual and the morning bus route got a new driver who wasn’t a people person. I had all my school books in my hand. Running to the end of the mall trying to make it to the bus. I had a midterm exam early that morning and don’t ask me how I thought I could study and run to the bus stop at the same time, and make it on the bus, I just did it. I was so overwhelmed from working long hours, studying even longer, and feeling like I’m running in place trying to better my life. I got a few feet away from the door that led right out to the bus stop and I dropped all my books and fell flat on my face. No one saw me from the inside of the mall but I was so humiliated and embarrassed of myself I immediately broke down crying. Picking up my books, wiping my tears, I gave up running at that point and just made my way out the door to where I was surprise to see the bus still sitting there being held up by a woman talking to the driver. Apparently the woman had “lost” her glasses, and needed help to see to get on the bus and finding them in order to get home safely when she departure’s at her stop. That same woman was you. The same woman I saw every morning and got on the bus with after long hours running on the same hamster wheel everyday yet never uttering a word nor did you know my name. Our eyes met and you smiled so big. My tears of defeat immediately became tears of joy. I got on the bus and sat down and ironically you “found” your glasses. They were in your pocket the whole time. The look on the drivers face was one I would never forget. He was so upset but kept his cool out of respect for you and you popped your collar, winked back at me, and made your way to your seat. Only this time, you sat next to me and for the first time you spoke to me and said “Don’t you ever get tired of doing the right thing, God sees you and your time is coming!”. I needed those words that day more than you would ever know and even still today I don’t know your name but I owe you the biggest thank you for watching over me, protecting me, and encouraging me. Those words have been imprinted in my heart and echo in my mind daily. Anytime I feel like giving up or think I’m unworthy, I remember just what you said and all that you did for me. You’d be proud to know that I kept going and now 5 years later, I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you my bus stop Angel.