Melissa
Mother & wife. I value loyalty, trust & relationships. As a kid money was a constant stressor at home. I remember waiting until Friday when "my dad got paid" to get food & my mom shopping at the food pantry. Checks bounced & lights were shut off. I watched my parents struggle to keep things afloat. At a young age I knew I never wanted to struggle because of money. I was the first person in my family to get a college education. Fresh out of school I worked my way up from local sales person to the first female VP in my company's history. My best days were the birth of my daughter & watching my little brother graduate from high school. John worked hard despite learning disabilities so it was a special day to see him walk at graduation. My brother died a year later in a car accident at 19. I struggled for years overcompensating for his loss. Worried about my parents - I tried to make up for him being gone. When my daughter was 5 months my world was rocked again. My mom who was excited about her new role as grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. Her two year battle was hard. I juggled being a new mother, traveling for work & caring for mom. My mother was strong & selfless. Watching cancer take over her body was torture. But all the loss taught me to live with purpose. We have one chance on earth - one body. We need to take care of ourselves. We need to be healthy & strong. As a teen I was extremely insecure about my body. But as I've aged I've come to love it for how strong it is and for what it can do. Success is pursuing things that make you happy & sharing it with the ones you love. Happiness comes from finding what lights you up & doing more of it. Beauty sparkles from the inside out, it's not only seen but felt. Beauty makes you feel good. I wish there was less negativity & more happiness in the world. I believe in the power of curious conversation. I love to be happy & make other people happy. I'm proud of my mindset - when I put my mind to something I'm all in. I believe in the golden rule. I am Melissa & I am strong, confident & successful.
