Happy New Year!

As I think about 2020, I reflect back on some peaks and pits I experienced during this last decade.  I am naturally a private person but I also believe in authenticity and sharing your truth to help others. Many of these things I will detail in future posts when I fully share my story and experiences, but this past decade has been a rollercoaster of laughter, tears (both happy and sad), pain, trauma, self-discovery, release, restoration, and celebration.

In 2010, I was in my sophomore year of college.  That year brought me 30 line sisters, as we became members of the First and Finest, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  It taught me sisterhood, friendship, a different level of loyalty, and I met women that I love dearly in my heart.  Some of these women became my best sister friends.  Greek life on campus was fun and exciting. Alpha Phi Spring X forever.

2011 brought me pain that I never knew could exist.  Heartbreaking, piercing, unimaginable pain that shaped how I viewed a lot of people I thought I could trust. I found out that I was pregnant on Valentine’s Day. That year was dark, lonely, and traumatizing.  I experienced abandonment and dealt with a good bit of my pregnancy alone as a future parent. I also realized how unkind, judgmental, selfish, and unaccountable people could be, and it was devastating. I am grateful for my village and my friends and line sisters that were there for me. You all really helped me to see the light during an incredibly difficult time. The best thing 2011 gave me was a beautiful and healthy baby boy.  He literally saved me and he lights up my life and is a reminder that God can create beautiful things out of the worst situations.  Shortly after birth, I suffered from bells palsy for about 5 months. My parents really stepped up and helped me take care of my son while I finished college and law school.  I would not be where I am today without them and owe them everything.

I graduated from the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University magna cum laude in 2012!  Yay!!!  This was a time of celebration because I faced many obstacles that almost hindered me from walking across that stage.  Cool fact: Our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama was our commencement speaker! Man, that was a treat!

I moved to Columbia, South Carolina for law school in 2013.  I admit, I experienced culture shock after attending an HBCU (Historically Black College and University).  Going from a school where you are celebrated and you see people like you to a school where there are only four other people of color in your section, is eye opening. Law school was an interesting journey and I have plenty of interesting stories to tell. I also experienced death of a close loved one that year.  My grandmother and my angel passed away.  I took her death hard.  I would drive up almost every weekend to see her when she was initially recovering from her stroke and we would spend time together. Honestly, our family has not been the same since.  But I know she is watching over me and often times I feel her presence when I need it most.

I worked a lot in 2014.  Law school took over my life and I was busy in the books. Check on your friends that are in law school. Trust me, they need it!

2015 I began my journey to healing, therapy, and facing trauma. Honestly, it was a rough time filled with a lot of processing and transition, but it was necessary for the woman I am today.  I am thankful for my village that supported me through those long, hard days and encouraged me.  I also experienced five years in the game with my line sisters!

I ended 2015 by graduating law school a semester early.  Man, what a great accomplishment! I was on Cloud 9. Every single person at my law school graduation dinner was crying.  It was an emotional evening. God truly carried me and I was finally on my way to becoming a lawyer.

The beginning of 2016, I studied for the bar, and I failed. I was close to passing, but the bottom line is I failed.  I cried, felt like a failure, felt like I let my son down, and disappointed my grandma. I took a week to sit in my thoughts and I picked up those books and tried again.  After the bar exam, my little man permanently moved back in and life felt great.  Less than a couple of weeks later, I met the love of my life and my future husband.  A few months later I passed the bar and was sworn in as an attorney!  Funny how life turns out when you let God take the wheel!

I let go and let love embrace me in 2017.  We fell in love, built our relationship and started traveling together. We laugh and have so much fun together. He is also so wonderful with my son. I am so grateful.

In 2018 I experienced more traveling and I got engaged!!!  My fiancé planned an amazing surprise birthday party and proposed to me!  It was truly a magical night to remember.

2019 was a year of awakening.  I was stretched and experienced spiritual, emotional, and career growth. I pushed past my comfort zones.  Naturally, I am an overachiever but I also struggled with believing I can have it all. I took a leap of faith and started tackling my dreams to make them a reality. I started and curated my blog and stopped limiting myself.

I experienced closure, fulfillments, and finding my voice. I recognized my boundaries and practiced much needed self-care. I learned that “NO.” is a complete sentence. I saw new countries and met new people. I won my first jury trial and advanced in my career. I danced and let my hair down and it felt so GOOD!

2019 gave me everything I needed.

*Look out for future blog posts detailing some of these experiences*

This past decade gave me the necessary experiences I needed to walk into my purpose for this next decade.  Was it pretty all the time? Absolutely not.  Was it worth it?  You better believe it.  2020 will bring a lot of changes for me.  I am so excited to see what is in store for me and for the growth, change, and opportunities I will experience.  I have some big announcements coming up this year and I cannot wait to share!  2020, I am coming for you and taking everything that is mine!

I encourage you all to reflect on your experiences from this past decade and focus on what you truly want moving forward.  Whether it is change, a new home, a new job, a new business, being kinder to yourself, a healthy relationship, or that baby you have been praying and believing for, it will happen.  Whatever it is that your heart desires, believe you are worthy of having it and it will manifest. However, also be open to receiving whatever it is God has for you.  If you are going through a tough season, know that God will cover you and get you through this time.  There is beauty in trusting what God can do. 

I wish you not only the best 2020, but the best decade of your life.  Cheers and Happy New Year! xoxo

2020 will be the BEST decade yet!

Love and Live Free,

-L