I grew up with a happy childhood. My dad was a deacon, my grandfather was our pastor, and my mom was just as involved. But everything changed on Halloween morning in 1999, when I found my dad and he had passed away in his sleep. I was a daddy’s girl, and that moment shattered my entire world. My mom fell into a deep depression, and I began slipping into the wrong crowd, turning to weed, alcohol, and eventually dropping out of school at just 14. By 16, I was married with a newborn. A prescription for pain pills during that pregnancy unknowingly marked the beginning of a lifelong battle with addiction.

About a year after my daughter was born, I lost my marriage, custody of my kids, and eventually myself. I spiraled into harder drugs, toxic relationships, many trips to jail. I became homeless and pregnant again, and after being stabbed and beaten, I made the painful but necessary decision to place my baby for adoption. That heartbreak led me to a suicide attempt and a violent, heroin-fueled relationship where I lost absolutely everything — except my name.

In 2018, I moved to South Carolina to escape that life. I was still using when I met a man who would later become the love of my life. I got pregnant again, then something inside me broke open. I knew I had to make some life changes, before I knew it my son was born August 9 2021 and that’s the day I made a promise to him that I would never touch drugs again and by the grace of God, I’ve kept that promise ever since.

September 13 2021 I entered Serenity Place and began rebuilding my life. 2 weeks later I got my son back, graduated, found a job, got my license, and eventually moved into our first apartment together On June 1, 2022, we opened the door to a new life, and just two weeks ago, I closed on our very first home.

Next month, I’ll celebrate four years clean, and my boyfriend will celebrate two. I now have a stable job, a home, and most importantly, a strong and loving relationship with all my kids. Life is beautiful something I never thought I’d say and I’m living proof that no matter how far you fall, you can rise again as long as you want it and work for it. It’s by far not easy it’s actually the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life but it’s oh so worth it. I’m so grateful to God that he allowed me to make it out my addiction alive.