My story begins like most stories. Girl meets boy, girl falls in love. I was 19 years old, working trying to pay for college at the time. I met this very handsome guy at work. As things began to get serious, I didn’t realize being called “lazy”, “ugly”, and more was actually verbal abuse. One day he kicked me, and that began a cycle of never ending physical abuse. I know what most people say: “Well, why didn’t you leave him?”

Believe me, I did multiple times, even had a restraining order at one point; but I still went back. I went back because I saw the good in him. Regardless of what was happening I saw the best, and then I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to be a family together. I thought it would be the right thing to do, until I started being pushed down stairs at five months pregnant. I had been smothered with pillows, pulled down the street by my hair, had guns pointed at me. And then one day, I had enough.

At seven months pregnant, I was finally able to leave. I knew this was not the life I wanted for my daughter, and I also knew that this couldn't be how my life was supposed to turn out. On November 12, 2018, I gave birth to a healthy little girl, who didn't see my mistakes or what her father had done to me. So I started therapy to become a deserving mother.

Two short years later, my child’s father would go on to murder two women and dump their bodies off of a bridge. My daughter lives a very happy life, thriving in a safe environment. I have since become an advocate against domestic violence. I have to think that I am a survivor and through my mistakes, I was giving Grace.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story.