I’m Back
After 10 years of living away, I couldn’t be happier to be back in the mitten! I spent 2 years in Philadelphia and 8 years in Baltimore. The memories and friends I met along the way will be with me forever, but my heart belongs in Michigan. Royal Oak, Birmingham, Plymouth, Northville and South Lyon are my absolute favorites for their adorable boutiques, cafes and small town feel. Most of the summer includes weekend trips to our cottage at Houghton Lake; its small, quaint and the perfect place for my kids to spend their time outside!
Life, Love and Death
I am a single mom of 3 miracle babies. My husband, George, and I were married for 6 years before he passed away from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. When George died I was 11 weeks pregnant with our identical twin daughters, had a 2 ½ year old son and we were living in Maryland. I had to sell our house, quit my job, move back to Michigan and move in with my parents so they could help me once the twins were born. I am originally from Livonia so it was very comforting being back and having help from family and friends while I attempted to grieve my husband and get through a very complicated and scary pregnancy. At my first ultrasound appointment the tech informed me that my twins had a few complications and I would need testing to determine what exactly was going on.
I agreed to further testing and two weeks later I found out there was not too much to worry about in regard to their health however, the small one would still need to be monitored bi-weekly and I may need to deliver them by 28 weeks at the latest if they both survived. After my first official bi-weekly appointment where the doctor told me I may lose one of my daughters, I decided to name them.
Hayden was easy because my husband and I always loved that name. The small one would be Gracyn, G for George and Gracyn for the grace of God. I would need both men to watch over my girl. From that moment I vowed to fight for Gracyn, Hayden and Weston. I would find the strength to take each day as it came, it may not be pretty but it was a journey I was 100% sure I wanted to take.
Sure, I was still very upset about the loss I just suffered however; I needed to be strong for my 3 children no matter what. People say I am brave and strong but trust me, I know all of my mom friends would do the same thing. We are an extremely powerful force, don’t mess with us, we are all superheroes in our own way. We take heartbreak and we deal with it, we learn from it and we move on. We have to because we have to show our sons that women can handle anything and we demand respect, and we have to show our daughters that we are unstoppable.
Family Fun
My son, Weston is now 4 years old and being a single mom raising this spirited little boy has been amazing! He was named after my aunt Monica West who saved George’s life when he was first diagnosed with Leukemia. Weston was my first IVF miracle after 2 miscarriages and 1 failed attempt. He is my superhero and my mini partner in crime. He is very smart, silly and loves dirt, bugs and dinosaurs. He is my strength and my love!
My twin daughters Gracyn and Hayden are 1 year old and are also IVF babies. They were born two months early but are healthy and strong! They helped me get through the loss of my husband in ways they will never truly understand. It’s not a coincidence that they came out looking just like their father. Hayden’s middle name is Lynn-Cha after my mom and my mother in law (who is Korean) and Gracyn’s is Amelia after my great grandmother who was one of the most amazing humans I have ever known. My children are all named after strong women!
Now…A little about ME!
I am starting a new career in marketing in June and am looking forward to starting over and providing for my family again. I am also owner of a local charity Operation: Warming up Veterans where I give back to our local homeless veterans. My dad says I am the reason brick and mortars are closing, I have a very unhealthy obsession with online shopping!
My other loves include Jesus, biking, This Is Us, and pretending to be a baker! I love being inspirational and have a passion for helping single moms, parents with disabilities and families suffering through infertility. My right arm is half the length of my left; I call it my little arm and typically never refer to myself as someone with a disability. The truth is, my little arm makes me who I am and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am looking forward to sharing my story of strength and perseverance with the moms of our fantastic city!
