The most rewarding part is watching my daughter discover the world through fresh eyes is pure joy. From tiny kicks to climbing on me like a jungle gym, every moment feels magical. Her laughter, hugs, and growth have taught me patience and gratitude. I’ve never been more excited or proud to talk about someone. She’s changed my life for the better in every way. She’s making a woman out of me simply by being alive!

I’ll never forget giving birth to my daughter in the hallway of the maternity home we live in. My daughter arrived quickly, 10 minutes of pushing, she came out with her cord wrapped around her neck twice. She wasn’t breathing, but my doula rubbed on her back until she cried. That moment was terrifying and beautiful, life stopped and began again with her first cry. Now I treasure every milestone and memory which is why I am even making a storybook of her first year with pictures of all her stuff.

If I had $20,000, I would finally be able to breathe. I’d use $6,000 to pay down debt acquired prior to having baby, $8,000 to secure stable housing and pay rent ahead a few months, and $6,000 to buy a reliable car outright. This would allow me to use my current income to build my savings, focus on my daughter’s college savings and finally create a secure, stable home for us both. It would allow me to live and not just survive, to give her a home she runs to instead of away from.