My story is a love story. Not the fairy tale kind, but a story that has taught me lessons, shown me heartbreak, and helped me truly understand what love really means.
I was just a teenager when I fell in love with my daughter’s father. That young love changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. It brought me two children, though only one is still with me today. My son passed away soon after birth, and though he isn’t here physically, he will always be a part of me. My daughter, though, became my anchor, the reason I kept going even when things got hard.
I was only 17 when I found out I was pregnant. I was scared, confused, and completely unprepared for what was ahead. But that moment shaped my journey and, eventually, inspired me to write my book Attached. Writing gave me a way to release my pain and reflect on everything I had gone through. In that book, my younger self told the raw story of my teenage years, while my older self added the wisdom I gained along the way.
I’ll never forget the day I discovered I was pregnant with my daughter. It was the summer after high school graduation, just two weeks before I was supposed to leave for college. I had gone with her father to a hotel for my birthday weekend. Something about my body felt different, so I secretly took a pregnancy test. My heart pounded as I waited for the results, but before I could even check them, he found the box and confronted me. There was no hiding the truth. Two pink lines confirmed it: I was pregnant again.
I expected him to be angry or shocked, but instead, he stayed quiet, kissed me on the forehead, and we held each other. In that silence, I knew our lives had just changed forever.
Leaving for college with that secret was one of the hardest moments of my life. As soon as I arrived on campus, I cried, overwhelmed by the thought of balancing school and motherhood. Eventually, I told my mom. True to who she has always been, she supported me and began helping me prepare for my new role.
That pregnancy was filled with worry because I had already lost one child. I was determined to do everything I could to bring my daughter safely into the world. I exercised, ate healthy, and leaned on my friends for support. They may have rolled their eyes at my pregnancy classes and late-night food cravings, but they stood by me every step of the way.
Her father, though, was not always there as I hoped he would be. When a basketball opportunity took him to Arizona right before my due date, I was devastated. I wanted him there when our daughter was born, but once again, life had other plans. Surrounded by my mom, grandma, and aunt, I gave birth to my daughter, Cianie KaLeeah Pearson. Holding her in my arms for the first time was a feeling I will never forget.
Motherhood at 18 was both beautiful and overwhelming. During the week, I went to college classes. On the weekends, I came home to care for my daughter. The balance wasn’t easy, and I made mistakes. There were times I let the pressures of being young get the best of me. My grades slipped, and I partied more than I should have. But through it all, my daughter was my reminder of what really mattered.
Her father and I didn’t make it as a couple, but we managed to raise her the best we could. Our styles were very different, I was strict and protective, while he was more laid-back. Somehow, though, it worked. With the love and support of our families, we raised a smart, beautiful, and strong young woman.
Being a teen mom taught me the importance of wisdom, grace, and resilience. I made mistakes, but I’ve learned to use those mistakes to guide others. Today, my daughter is 17 years old and studying kinesiology in college, chasing her dream of becoming a physical therapist. I couldn’t be prouder of the woman she is becoming.
Life has taken me on an incredible journey since those teenage years. I’m now a mother of two daughters, a business owner, an author, and the founder of a nonprofit. Most importantly, I’ve discovered my purpose: to be a spark in the lives of others, helping ignite the fire within them.
Looking back, I see a scared, confused 17-year-old girl who had no idea what life had in store. Today, I see a strong woman shaped by love, pain, and growth. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: love is not just about romance, it’s about endurance, forgiveness, and the courage to keep going when life gets hard.
