Hi family... this one's for you.
Today’s episode is a little different. It’s not just a podcast, it’s a love letter. A dedication. A moment to pause and remember where I came from, who raised me, and why I’ll never forget my roots.
I was adopted when I was just a year old. Born to a 14-year-old mother and placed into the system, I landed right where I was always meant to be with my angel. My mom. I remember her telling me that I was her angel. I told her back, “No, YOU are mine.” And we went back and forth with that for years. That’s the kind of bond we had.
My mom wasn’t just anybody. She was a district missionary. Not local…district. That means her voice carried, her presence mattered, and her faith shook rooms. When she walked in, people felt her. Her confidence, her strength, her glow it was unforgettable. And I never once regretted being placed in her care. She raised me with the same love she gave her own children.
I’ll never forget the stories she shared. Stories of faith, of survival. Like how she didn’t know how she was going to feed her kids, but still went to clean homes. And those same homeowners, without even knowing her situation, would send her back with bags full of food. That’s faith. That’s favor. That’s God.
She was a single mom raising three children, and then… me. She had already done the hard part, and still said yes to me. And I never once felt separate. Sure, my skin was lighter. But I never felt different not from my siblings, not from my cousins. I was never treated like an outsider. Only family.
To all of you my God-sent family I just want to say: I’ve never forgotten you. I never will.
Even now, as my life expands and shifts in ways I can’t explain, I stay grounded in what I was taught. My mom raised me with faith. That never left. I may have questioned religion, but I never doubted what I feel. And I still feel God.
There are others I need to thank too. My niece who called one day and asked, “Have you ever thought about doing a podcast?” I almost said no. I’ve never liked the sound of my own voice. But something told me to listen. And now here I am talking to you. Because of her. So thank you. Thank you for hearing the nudge and saying something.
To my sisters, my brothers, my cousins… you have shown me love throughout my life in ways you probably don’t even realize. You’ve helped me, comforted me, stood beside me. You were there when I was being tested, and even though you may not have known it, I passed those tests. Early. With flying colors. And now I’m in my harvest season. And I carry you with me into every blessing.
And I want to take a moment for someone really special my sister. The one my mom adopted after me, so I wouldn’t grow up alone. I was around four or five when she came into our lives, and she came in sick. That’s when my mom noticed that I had a caregiver’s heart. I tried to pick her up, take care of her, love her even as a little one. And we grew up side by side.
We fought like sisters do more often than I care to admit but she stuck with me. If you’re hearing this now… I want to say I’m sorry for anything I ever did to hurt you. I hope you forgive me. I haven’t spoken to you in years, but I think about you often. And I think about your beautiful children. You live in my heart. Always.
To my whole family: thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for being part of my story. No matter how high I go, no matter what rooms I end up in, humility will lead me and gratitude will anchor me. And you’ll always be part of my why.
This episode is my gift to you. A reminder that I never left you and never will.
