Introducing Candice Ilene Byrne: A Plymouth Mom

Introducing Candice!

:: Down With Detroit ::

I was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada where I lived on the farm with my parents and younger sister and brother. My earliest memories of Detroit are traveling across the beautiful Ambassador Bridge to visit my mom’s family in the city. There was a stark contrast between the farm that we lived on and the glamorous, big city. My family moved to Detroit when I was in elementary school. My parents divorced that same year, shattering my world. My father became incredibly ill and moved back to Canada.  I grew up in Warrendale playing kickball in the alley, riding my bike all over town and running through the sprinklers on our block. My fondest memories are of dancing on the playground at school with my friends. We didn’t have much, but we had music and each other.

My mother was a working single mom in the city with three young children. We lived in several houses in Detroit and East Dearborn. It was confusing, yet wonderful to be a minority amongst my peers. Without consistent parental influence, I struggled to find my identity. Times were generally tough. I recall sewing crooked Guess signs taken from my cousins size zero hand-me-downs onto the back of my size eight KMart jeans. I held a great deal of responsibility for my younger siblings, whom I love dearly.  They were my first children and continue to be my best friends. Growing up in Detroit, we are huge sports fans. Attending Tigers, DCFC and Red Wings games with my siblings is a favorite pastime. The passion of Detroit fans is unlike any other. That passion extends to the wide assortment of foods that are offered in the city! I credit my brother with introducing me to the great eats of Detroit; from Avalon Bakery to Evie’s Tamales to Mudgie’s to El Barzon to Roast. Detroit is such a vibrant place with so many incredible people and cultures. . . it is delightful to watch the city explode with life. 

:: My Life :: 

I attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where I studied education, I always dreamt of being a teacher. I love children, learning and summer vacations! I obtained two master’s degrees: one in teaching and one in special education. I taught secondary special education for eight years. I loved being in the classroom and watching my students learn before my very eyes. There was never a dull moment. A career in education afforded me the opportunity to do what I love most: travel. I spent all of my summers traveling around the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.   

:: Babies & Beyond ::

I loved my life, but something was missing. I was ready to settle down and have a family. I had a fairytale image in my brain of what a family should look like. But, dreams do not always unfold the way we expect. Sometimes God’s plans are bigger and better than anything we can imagine. I am running the kingdom on my own, with my beautiful princess at my side. I am eternally grateful for the privilege of motherhood.

Finding out I was pregnant was one of the greatest days of my life. I was volunteering at Gilda’s Club in Royal Oak when I received the call. I raced home, music blaring and windows down. It was a perfect Michigan summer day.

My pregnancy sparked an interest in health and fitness. I had always had a love/hate relationship with my body and now was the time to love it!  I began prenatal yoga with Elise Bowerman and fell madly in love. After my daughter was born, we attended baby and me yoga at Namaste Yoga in Royal Oak. I continue to practice at the Yoga Room in Plymouth and in my living room with my little yogini. While yoga helps to keep me at ease, running and dance are more my speed. I love to attend Zumba and hip hop classes. I thoroughly enjoy running, albeit slowly, at Maybury Park and along the River Walk.

I often take my daughter with me on these adventures. My daughter has renewed my faith in the world. I see everything differently now. Nothing gives me greater joy than watching her become this perfect little person. I am continually in awe of who she is . . . beautiful, strong, brave, kind and absolutely hilarious. And she isn’t even two! I am hopeful for the future. I am thrilled to be a part of DMB and the opportunity connect with so many incredible women in the metro Detroit community. Join me on my journey as a mama who is single . . . seeking to find peace and love in this oftentimes chaotic, beautiful world.