“I cried so much. Why would people put themselves through this? Hope. Desperation. Longing. I realized this wasn’t something people wanted to share or talk about. Surely I wasn’t the only person going through this?”
‘Your best course of action is IVF.’ Surely this wasn’t real. I didn’t know anyone who had gone through this. We told everyone.’: Couple advocates for infertility awareness, ‘I never lost hope’
‘Let’s give this a go, shall we?’ The first time we met, I can’t even tell you how nervous I was. It’s about giving up control.’: Moms co-write blended family journey, ‘Life is humbling and messy’
“It’s weird meeting the one your husband had a relationship with. Turns out, the fear was worse than the situation itself. She was kind, bringing wine and cake. She got it.”
‘Stop being sad, Heather. People would kill to have what you have.’ You cannot push grief away. It’s going to show it’s face, one way or another.’: Woman reminds us ‘joy and grief can co-exist, even during Christmas’
“Last night, I put up my Christmas tree and cried. It happens every year. For many, many years, I thought I hated Christmas. I’ve come to realize I don’t it. I hate the pressure of trying to hide my grief, for the comfort of others.”
To My Nonverbal Child: Our Love Will Never Need Words
“Raising a non-verbal child taught me to communicate with more than mere words and to listen with more than mere ears.”
It Isn’t Shallow To Want To Look Beautiful—Until It Steals Your Joy
“I went to take a sip of water and all of it dropped out of my mouth. I looked in the mirror to find half of my face sagging. Paralyzed. My face just stopped working.”
‘I can have him ready as soon as I need to.’ With shaking knees and wet palms, we froze. Our family was being built.’: Couple adopts two boys from foster care, ‘It was a very easy yes’
“It felt like months of tug-of-war. ’The judge is refusing. You need to be in Texas by Friday.’ Through tears, I called my husband. ‘Looks like we’re headed to Texas.’ I just wanted my boy.”
‘Your tests came back abnormal.’ I started shaking immediately. It didn’t seem fair. I was terrified of what he’d look like.’: Mom gives birth to baby with Down syndrome, ‘He’s perfect in every way’
“I was hysterical. ‘This can’t be right. I’m 21 years old. I have my whole life in front of me.’ I was afraid it would ruin Christmas. I’ve never cried more in my life.”
‘You look so great! How did you do it?’ All of my validations were coming true, but I wasn’t happy OR healthy. I hardly recognized myself.’: Woman recovers from eating disorder, ‘I love my body’
“In sixth grade, I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting. We counted points and bought ‘low-cal’ foods. I never really hated my body. I wanted to be accepted for who I was.”
‘People said, ‘I’d NEVER choose an older kid.’ We decided to take them permanently. They’re not just ‘damaged goods.’: Family adopt daughter from foster care, ‘I can rest knowing she is loved’
“‘Their current foster home is abusive.’ When we dropped them back off, she yelled at us for giving them haircuts. Most days, it felt like the system simply didn’t care to provide what was necessary. I can rest now, knowing she is loved.”
‘I’ll do it, but just this once.’ Famous last words. My body NEEDED them. I HAD to get high every 6 hours.’: Recovering addict shares sobriety journey, ‘All you have to do is SHOW UP’
“If I didn’t get high within an hour, I’d start throwing up. I’d sit in the bathroom for hours trying to hit. My veins were ruined. My probation officer was calling everyone I knew, threatening to send me to prison. I was at an all-time low.”