I think when people think of survivor, they think of the physical aspects of it. But for me, it's more of the mental, the emotional aspects. I'm still working on that definition completely. And I know it's going to take some time, but every day I consider myself a survivor no matter what.

Coming from being in a relationship for 12 years. And all of a sudden at one moment in time, just kind of like your world crumbling right before your eyes and you not really having any control over it. It causes a different type of grief.

I was one of those people that didn't want to show emotion. I'm fine. I didn't want my daughter to see me crying and being in those moments. But I realized that I had to do that in order to start properly healing.

I know at the end of the day, I'm going to heal because I've made it my mission.

I speak as a mom, as a daughter, as a granddaughter, and from just someone who comes from a really strong line of women. And I don't think that as women we should ever forget how strong we are, as mothers, especially. We have to not only heal for ourself, but we have to heal for our children.