Devon Ledbetter is a writer and editor based in Florida. She holds a BA in English from Florida State University. She currently formerly worked as a Digital Editor with Love What Matters and has previously had works published with College Magazine and Her Campus. Her favorite pastimes include beach trips, baking, and concerts. You can learn more about Devon through her portfolio https://dnl16b.wixsite.com/ledbetter-portfolio
‘His mom is a crackhead, isn’t she?’ The woman in line was relentless. She just didn’t get it.’: Mom reflects on complexities of foster care, ‘We are merely called to love’
“This woman, who I’d never met before, inserted herself where she didn’t belong, asking questions about the 2-week-old baby in the car seat. I stared into her judging eyes. She couldn’t possibly begin to understand.”
‘We belong together, the three of us. We’re a perfect fit.’ With 6 combined kids, the stakes were high.’: Woman shares experience in polyamorous relationship, ‘Love doesn’t have limits’
“People began to talk and rumors were spreading. ‘You’d do anything to keep your man.’ It all seemed too big and scary. What was bigger and scarier was living without each other.”
‘Your daddy loves you, and I love you too.’ Dustin honors Marcus as their father and helps them understand it’s okay to love both.’: Young widow shares blended family journey, creates ‘daddy books’ to honor late husband’s memory
“Dustin didn’t only declare vows to me, but he spoke vows to the children as well. ‘In just a little bit, I tell Mom ‘I do.’ And with that, I promise you forever too. We won’t always like each other or get along, but we need to promise we will love each other forever.'”
‘I probably won’t outlive my sister or may not be able to see my children grow up. ‘Do you feel like a burden?’—Yes, I do’: Woman with Cystic Fibrosis details journey, ‘If you search for the silver living, you’ll always find it’
“I had no energy to move, let alone scream. My parents had nothing to be concerned about. All was a mystery. I hid behind the paper and the little book in my wardrobe no one knew existed. I was fine about everything and I sort of still am, but I don’t want to die yet.”
‘She put her drink in my face. ‘Have a sip!’ I was risking my life.’: Woman recounts alcohol recovery journey, ‘It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done’
“I should just set my husband free, he deserves better. My only goal was to survive the day.”
‘If you don’t leave him, I’ll end up burying you.’ I was like an addict. Then I saw a red positive sign on the doctor’s sheet.’: HIV+ woman escapes abuse, ‘Live out loud and free’
“’Where do you think you’re going looking like THAT?’ I didn’t listen to my instincts. He made me think no one loved me. I had to set myself free.”
‘Stay with me!’ My body was septic. I’d never carry our child. ‘There’s a baby at the hospital. Do you want him?’: After losses, couple foster to adopt, ‘He’s the redemption to our pain’
“‘He’s 3 days old, do you want to pick him up?’”
‘At 20, people judged our choice to get married. ‘You have to experience your single years and party it up.’ I didn’t want it. I wanted Marcus.’: Widow remarries after loss, ‘I love two incredible men’
“Then he went on a work trip and never came home. Our children were young, three under 5. I went from a blissfully happy marriage to having all of it ripped from me in an instant. And then came Dustin.”
‘I married him at 21. There were red flags. After 11 years of marriage, we began couple’s counseling. The next day, he fell from a ladder at work. I knew he was going to die.’: Young widow gets second chance at love, ‘There is always reason to find hope’
“I was a widowed, working, single mom. We began chatting on a dating app. 3 days later, I accidentally Face-Timed him, fresh out of the shower and no makeup. I panicked and almost hung up, but felt God whisper, ‘See if he answers.’ The moment I saw his face, I knew he was my person.”
‘Do you know why your REAL parents didn’t want you?’ They wonder how much I ‘cost.’ Truth is, love has no limits. Family is not confined or defined by blood.’: Transracial adoptee details journey, ‘I wouldn’t change a thing’
“I was left on the street four days after I was born. Somebody I don’t know took me to the police station. ‘Emma, why do your eyes look like that?’ ‘Are those REALLY your sisters?’ I cherish the only family I have ever known. Love knows no boundaries.”