“My dad passed away when I was 5 years old. He went out for a run and came back to the door and rang the doorbell because he couldn't breathe. I yelled for my mom and she whisked me from the room and that was the last time I saw him alive.

My mom was a stay at home mom until that point. so she had to go back to school to support me and my brother. During that time, we moved in with my grandparents so they could help take care of us because we were so young. My mom eventually became a teacher and we moved back into our family home.It was hard during our younger years because my mom wasn't home or she was studying. It is understandable because she had to do what she had to do to keep us together in our home, but we did miss her at home with us.

I think that has a lot to do with me being a stay at home mom myself. I’m happy to be home everyday and take part in all of my kids activities because I am fortunate enough to be able to be there. Even though I didn't get the chance to spend a lot of time with my mom when I was younger we had a wonderful relationship and we still do so now. She has been a huge part of my children’s lives as well and I am blessed to have that strong bond with both her and them.”