Based in New York City, Sophia San Filippo has worked with Love What Matters as a lead editor and content curator since early 2019 and has acted as Managing Editor since early 2021. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Binghamton University who holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Creative Writing, and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She is passionate about personal storytelling and creating a positive space in media to better the lives of others. On a typical day you can find her rocking out at her local concert venue, admiring nature, or baking her latest kitchen experiment.
‘It started with sharp stomach pains. Two days later, I was hunched over, trying to catch my breath. My body felt like I’d ran a marathon.’: 21-year-old nurse recovering from COVID-19 urges ‘nobody is too young’
“When I arrived at the ER, that’s when things started to get critical. It’s like my body knew I was finally in the right place, in the right care, and it could stop fighting. My lips and turned blue and my oxygen dropped. I couldn’t stand up any longer. Both lungs revealed patches where COVID-19 was present.”
‘I recently reached out to a medium who told me I was in a ‘religious cult’ in my past lives, forced to have kids.’: Mom details experience with medium, ‘My whole life finally made sense’
“From the very beginning, the past lives that were popping up were me in religious cults or groups. I was hooked! I needed to know more about this whole reincarnation thing. Call me crazy!”
It’s Never Too Late To Find A Partner Who Appreciates You
“Tonight, my boyfriend said ‘thank you for cooking’ after I put frozen chicken strips in the oven.”
‘Where did this come from?’ My mom will stop at nothing to get ‘the mom bag’ to me.’: Woman says ‘no pandemic can silence a mother’s love’
“I glanced in the backseat and saw a grocery bag on the floor that hadn’t been there before. There’s never anything in ‘the mom bag’ that would look valuable to an outsider. But I know its worth. It speaks of mothering that does not end.”
‘Today should have been my daughter’s recital, but instead, she and her friends decided to make the most of it.’: Dance mom in awe, ‘They remembered to celebrate what matters most’
“I should have been waking up early to apply her makeup and put her hair into a dancer’s bun. Instead of staying home and being sad, they banned together, grabbed their costumes, and danced the day through from a distance.”
‘I’m sorry, she is non-viable.’ Daddy held her so very close, tears in his eyes. He knew it was time. She gave us 60 minutes in pure heaven.’: Mom loses newborn to Bilateral MCDK, ‘She taught us nothing but pure love’
“I remember the drive to the hospital, telling Jose I wasn’t ready, that I couldn’t do this, and just crying. He grabbed my hand and told me, ‘Baby, no matter what happens today, no matter how long or short her life is, she will know if nothing else LOVE.’ Scared and shaking, I received her on my chest. Our 60 minutes in heaven started.”
‘This was not the motherhood you had planned for, but it won’t be any less. It will be more.’: Woman pens letter to the ‘mom who didn’t get a healthy one’
“You didn’t get the ‘healthy one.’ But still, you hold up your head, move forward, and smile. You never back down. Your motherhood was not the way that you planned. But today you love more—and stronger you stand.”
‘I was at the supermarket buying cake mix when I suddenly heard a loud crack. ‘This may sound strange, but I think my leg just broke.’: Young woman says ‘life is beautifully fragile’ after near-death accident
“I stumbled forward. A man stopped his shopping. I looked him dead in the eye. ‘This may sound strange now, but I think my leg just broke.’ People started gathering around me. Instead of taking my finals, I broke up with my boyfriend, began to lose my friends, and went from doctor to doctor. No one could explain what was wrong with me.”
‘I walked right into CVS with my mouth completely uncovered. I forgot to pull the cotton over my nose!’: Woman urges ‘be gentle, there is no right or wrong response’ during pandemic
“Panic and discomfort took over. ‘What are people thinking of me? OMG, are they going to kick me out? Arrest me?’ This new normal doesn’t feel normal at all.”
‘I got the call from her sister: ‘Things are bad. Come now if you want to say goodbye.’ I kissed the top of her head and walked toward the door, for the last time.’: Woman loses best friend to 15-year battle with anorexia, ‘She did not choose this’
“I rubbed lotion on her legs and changed her socks, tasks she could no longer do herself. I wanted so badly to find some way to at least make her more comfortable. Afterwards, I let the door close behind me. I was 29 and she 30, but I knew this was the last time I’d see my sweet best friend on this side of Heaven. She did not choose this.”