“At only 17 years old, while still a senior in high school, I vividly remember the intense fear I felt when I looked at that pregnancy test. What would become of me? I had always been the good girl – the one that got good grades and followed the rules.”
‘Despite having 5 beautiful children, I still couldn’t shake the feeling our family was not complete. ‘Surely we have room for one more, right?’: Family of 9 shares adoption journeys, God’s answers to prayers
‘I was so skinny my ribs poked through my shirt. I was an easy target. I couldn’t fight back.’: Man battles ‘body dysmorphia’ after years of bullying, finds ‘confidence’ in new body
“I was pushed around, thrown, kicked until I passed out. I looked in the mirror and felt ashamed of how I looked. I didn’t tell anyone what was going on. Until one day I fell to the floor at my mom’s house and cried like I never had and talked about driving off a bridge. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like for my mom to see her 6’8″ son breaking down in front of her, not knowing how to help.”
‘I was cleaning my wedding ring. I’m a ‘guys’ guy. My hands stay banged up and dirty. I work on cars, the yard, they get dirty. My ring bares the brunt.’
“Friends have asked why I take the time to clean it when it will get dirty and no one will notice a difference. ‘You’re the man, no one cares how pretty your ring is’. Here’s the thing. IT. DOES. MATTER. Why?”
‘The doctor intensively listened to her heartbeat – troubled by what he heard. We realized the severity of the situation. Immediately dropping to my knees in despair, we moved into the hospital.’
“I immediately started CPR and called 911 while my husband tried to keep the boys out of the room. Things escalated quickly. Before I knew it, our road was blocked by police, firefighters, and an ambulance. All these people lent us their hands in attempt to save our daughter.”
‘In these 45 days, I have held my 2-year old while she was throwing up, during blood draws and X-rays. I have watched her learn to trust. I know what blanket she needs to fall asleep.’
“I have met my child’s birth mom and held her. I have cried with her and prayed for her. My heart is wide open. It has grown to love not only this child, but also her biological mother. I’m rooting for her and wanting desperately to help her break this cycle of life she is trapped in.”
‘Strong people do foster care. Bible thumpers do foster care. Not us. People like us do not do foster care.’: Woman reflects on harrowing journey through infertility, foster care
“We tried for five long years to have children of our own. Five years is sixty months. That’s six hundred ovulation tests and one hundred and twenty pregnancy tests. Always negative.”
‘When he was born I heard, ‘Oh my God. He has RED HAIR!’ I paused. ‘No, just wash him a few times.’ The nurse washed him 3 times. ‘No mama, you’ve got a little ginger.’: African American mom shocked by newborn son’s red hair
“Trust me, I was shocked too. I can’t count how many times I had to explain he wasn’t adopted, wasn’t my stepson, and wasn’t albino. That I was his mom – not the aunt, Godmother, or the nanny.”
Don’t Shame Parents If You Spot A Toddler Without A Winter Coat—New Car Seat Guidelines May Be The Reason
“Please do not assume that parent is some kind of monster. I can’t count how many moms have told me their personal stories of being judged or harassed out in public.”
‘I begged you to stay. I gave you a big hug, not knowing it’d be the last. You told me you’d see me soon. I believed you.’: Little sister misses ‘other half’ during holidays after losing her to suicide
“As it hit midnight, I felt this overwhelming urge to call you. I knew something wasn’t right. I fell to the floor in shock. ‘Your sister has taken her life.’ I could not believe you were gone.”
I Cooked And Cleaned By Myself On My Wedding Anniversary—Here’s Why That’s Okay
“Don’t get so busy being caught up in what your husband isn’t doing that you forget what he does do to show you he loves you.”