Hello! My name is Stacy Brooks, a metro Detroit wife, teacher, licensed counselor, and, most importantly, mom. I live in Livonia with my husband and two daughters. One of the things we love about our community is how close we are to Detroit. We love enjoying new restaurants downtown, checking out festivals around the metro area, or cruising the Detroit River in our boat on the weekends.
My life can be broken up in into two categories: before kids and the aftermath. While both have been full of joy, triumph, and changes, the later has been the most rewarding…and the most exhausting.
Before Kids
I grew up in Livonia, Michigan. I was raised an only child in a great neighborhood with lots of kids. We rode bikes, rollerbladed, explored the creek behind our neighborhood, and enjoyed a pretty idyllic childhood. I made it through middle school and high school unscathed. (Which is lucky considering a lot of the choices I was making!). I did well academically, had a lot of friends, and always worked a part-time job. When I graduated high school in 2004, I began attending the University of Michigan, and I hated it. I felt lost since I didn’t know what I wanted to do. After one semester, I waved the white flag and did the unthinkable: I went to community college.
I made up my mind to transfer to Madonna University. I loved attending school there. The classes were small and intimate. I got to know my cohorts and my professors, and I graduated (on time!) with a degree in English and Family and Consumer Sciences, as well as a concentration in Secondary Education in 2008. I was the first member of my family to graduate from college, so it was a very celebrated occasion.
During my student teaching, I ran into a guy I knew in high school. His name was Joe, and he was a really nice guy. We were in different circles in high school, but his best friend always threw the best parties, and I was always there. Eventually, after a few run-ins at our local watering hole, we went out on a date to a comedy club. It was pretty good as far as first dates go. We ended up dating for a few months when Joe decided he was going to pursue a job in Arizona. I, of course, was devastated.
Two years passed, a few relationships fizzled, and Joe moved back to Michigan from Arizona. He got an invite to a party I was throwing for Halloween, and we have been together ever since.
My career also took a few twists and turns. After a successful stint student teaching, I landed a job interview for a teaching position with Redford Union Schools. I got the job, and I worked there for five years, teaching a variety of classes such as health, child development, and foods and nutrition. During my time at Redford Union, I also got my Master’s Degree in school and professional counseling in 2012. I can honestly say I didn’t know anything about teaching until I set foot in my own classroom. I was 22 years old, and high school kids are big and scary. This was also the most diverse environment I had ever been in. And I loved it. Unfortunately, after working there for several years during shrinking enrollment, my job was no longer safe, and I had to move on.
In 2013, I interviewed and got what I thought would be my forever job. I was teaching middle school Life Skills in an affluent suburb, which was so different from Redford Union. And it was great, at first. The kids were awesome and the parents were supportive. I met some great friends who I still keep in touch with, but I didn’t feel like I was making much of a difference.
Joe and I also got engaged in 2013, and we were married in 2014. We had an amazing wedding and reception at a great downtown Detroit venue. We had a lot of stressors leading up to our big day, but once it was over, there was a lot of relief from both of us. My mom and Joe’s dad were both suffering from some major health issues. And I was helping take care of my 91-year-old grandma who was ailing. I was so relieved that she made it to the wedding. Unfortunately, though, she passed away a few months later.
The Aftermath
In 2016, without a lot of trying, we found out we were pregnant with our first child on St. Patrick’s Day. After months and months of morning (who are we kidding…all day) sickness, our daughter, Lucy Reese, was born the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I should have known from her delivery that she would keep my on my toes. She was born via emergency c-section (emergency is an understatement), and she has been a live wire ever since. She is smart, sassy, busy and most of the time so much fun, but she can really try my patience.
In 2017, I went back to where I started career wise, and I started teaching at Redford Union again. My 45 minute commute each way was starting to weigh on me, and I was missing precious time with my baby girl. I’m so happy I came to back where I started. I now feel needed, respected, and valued every day by my students and the people I work with, and that is a great feeling that not everyone can relate to.
In early 2018, we found out we were expecting again, and like our first pregnancy, we decided to wait until delivery to find out the gender. Also like our first pregnancy, I suffered from morning (hahaha) sickness and some other unpleasant symptoms. In October, we were blessed with another baby girl. Livia Rose (aka “The Fake Baby) completed (???) our family and made Lucy a big sister. She is easy-going, silly, and sweet, but she can be loud. I have loved watching their relationship blossom.
Along with two kids, we also have two big rescue dogs who love our kids and also love to drive me crazy. Our home is loud, chaotic, and full of love and dog hair. When I’m not busy wiping butts or fetching an insane amount of snacks for my toddler, I like watching any of the Real Housewives, drinking wine, cooking, shopping, and going out for an occasional night with friends. I live for summer vacation and spending time on the boat or at our local pool.
I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with the readers of Detroit Moms Blog, and I can’t wait to connect with you!
Follow me on Instagram: @staycbrooks!
