How Did I Overcome Teen Pregnancy and Build a Future?

when i found out i was pregnant, i freaked out. i had just turned 17, & i was planning my senior year to be AMAZING. but when i saw the blue plus sign i knew i had to get my act together. i was about three months along when i found out. i had no idea how i would finish school, & take care of my daughter.

so i took a different road, i went to a program called PAYS & finished school in two months. the last two weeks there, i had been experiencing contractions every 5-2 minutes apart but still wasn't in labor because i wasn't dilating. i had a horrible feeling something was wrong & that i needed to get my work in fast before my daughter arrived early. just a few days after i finished, my doctor diagnosed me with preeclampsia & induced me the next morning. my daughter was born premature & had to be put in nicu for awhile because of the preeclampsia along with the fluid she had in her lungs. my daughter recovered & she is now one fat baby ♡

she motivated me, helped me grow, & made me realize what my purpose was in life which is to be a mother. i was giving up on life, i could feel myself falling back into my depression. i didn't even think I'd live to graduate high school.

but on December 15th, 2015, i walked the stage & received my high school diploma. right after they announced us as graduates, i nearly ran to my family crying. i pulled my daughter out of the car seat & held her tight while my boyfriend held us both telling me "you did it".

i made it. WE made it. now all that's left to do is build an empire together with our kids. i'm looking forward to the success our journey will bring & raising a family ♡

i did this all for you October.

you saved me when no one else could.