As a Digital Editor of Love What Matters, I'm here to pull on your heartstrings and make you smile. After spending nearly six years as a Digital Reporter for ABC News' "Good Morning America," I'm thrilled to continue sharing touching and inspiring stories that the world is so craving. We can all use more love in our lives -- now you've found the perfect place to get it.
“My husband and I booked a one-way ticket for her. On her first flight. She finally arrived at our front door at 2 a.m.. With open arms, we welcomed our youngest son’s biological sister into our home. The moment they saw each other they exchanged the sweetest embrace. They just knew. Knew their love for each other. And the connection they shared. We do not know how long she will be with us. But she is family.”
“Discrediting my struggle now doesn’t help me for the future.”
“On Christmas morning, she found her hidden puppy. She loved it like she said she would. For 48 hours. My husband was not a dumb man. He knew he needed to return the $300 robo-pup after she lost interest so quickly, but was still concerned her heart would break if she noticed the canine was gone. So, he did the only thing a sane man could think of. He tore a hole in the side of the box and told her he ran away. He would do anything our sweet daughter wanted him to do. Until he couldn’t any longer.”
“I really like going out and hanging out with people, but it takes me days to recover from it. I need to lay on the couch to recoup from the mental toll it takes. People exhaust me. When my husband drinks, he becomes an energizer bunny. Me? The more I drink, the more tired I become. Once I hit that wall, there is no turning back. I am done-done-done. I can only be social for a set amount of time. If that time is up, I have an escape plan.”
“Most nights we’re just trying to survive. We rush around, it’s bedtime, and then poof: we do it all again! But not on this night. As we narrow down the options, that’s when the real fun begins. Lucas is the Doorbell Ringer, because he’s so quick on his feet. I hang in the shadows, proudly watching as my little elves make their special delivery. Sometimes we’re still close enough to see the homeowner open the door, but most years we never see their faces.”
“He burnt my grandma’s table in a bonfire and emailed me pictures. At 2 a.m., he was yelling outside my house, banging on all the doors and windows. I was hidden behind the couch dialing 911. He keyed my car. I woke up with 100+ missed calls. My family finally convinced me the police needed to be involved. I brought so much proof, I thought they’d have to arrest him, but nope. Their ‘hands were tied’ and ‘boys will be boys.’”
“Our teacher tasked us with making little wreaths out of mini pretzels. We worked hard on those. I reached in to grab it, and instinctively knew something was wrong. My heart sank. My little eyes filled with tears. My mom said she loved it anyway. I cried myself to sleep, waking the next morning to sounds of Christmas carols from the kitchen. I shuffled towards the Christmas tree. Was it real? Could it be? I ran to the kitchen, tugged on her pants. ‘Well, look at that,’ she gasped, just as surprised as me.”
“When I met my husband, he was unlike any other guy. He looked past my exterior and into my soul. He truly wanted to get to know me. He was attracted to my confidence despite of looking different. ‘I never see your birthmark,’ he always says. He never made me feel insecure like so many guys in the past. So many broke my heart, used me, kept me a secret, disrespected and took advantage of me. He never made me feel like I had to change who I was.”
“Something was so wrong. I held my screaming baby and I bounced. My phone sat nearby, silent. Bouncing, screaming, tears rolling down my cheeks. At 10 p.m., I was overcome by sheer panic. I called and texted him many times. No response. 1 a.m. Knock, knock. I couldn’t breathe. All the secrets were finally being told to me. ‘Ma’am, your husband was killed at Walgreens.’ Heart stops. I don’t remember a single word, just pieces. Murdered. Affair. Gun. Father of 5.”
“There is no shame in my seat-saving game. Either ‘get me,’ or you hate me.”
