I've clung to the word survivor until I find a better one. And I think that one fits because I literally, like, escaped him trying to kill me.

He's still in my life. He's the father of my children. so, that's a grief that society doesn't see.

I've brought a lot of peace upon myself by just choosing not to explain why I'm doing certain things. Like, just, this is how it is.

I speak as someone who's motivated by any opportunity to right an injustice.

I speak as someone who always wanted to be a mom since I was like 9 years old.

And who knows that my experience is getting better.