I’m Elisa. It’s midnight right now, and I’m cozied up with the love of my life, my Cavalier spaniel Amber, in my home that I share with the most incredible man I’ve ever met, Dave, my obnoxiously gorgeous teenage son, Dre, and our two worshiped cats, Jon Snow and Tom Holland.
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I have exactly 22 internet tabs open on my browser after spending the last four straight hours finalizing the details of our Parisian destination wedding which is just days away, yet another “pipe dream” my fiancé has made reality for me in the last 5 years.
I’m currently a homemaker, a new venture that I never thought in a trillion years would be something I’d undertake. Dave encouraged me to quit my corporate administration job 7 months ago under the condition that I would give another go at pursuing the writing career I’ve dreamt of since childhood. I spend my days housekeeping, working out, meditating, cooking, reading, writing, supporting my (by the time you read this) husband, spoiling my animals, being fully present for my only child, daydreaming of travel, and studying any topic and online course my heart desires.
I obviously live a privileged existence today, but as anyone would guess, no 36-year-old bride comes without their own story.
And believe me, the woman I am today did not always exist. In fact, she was only recently conceived.
I’m writing to you, my dearest Austin, as I emerge from a state of chrysalis that began long ago…
I grew up in a proud Mexican-American home with two brothers in the small town LaMarque, Texas, and went on to graduate with a degree in journalism from Texas State University in 2008.
Ok, I’ll jump ahead to cut a very long story short…
I used to contribute to Austin Moms several years back beginning in late 2014. My son was 5 at the time. The woman I was back then was barely more than a young, lost soul, a single mom dog-paddling barely above the surface to breathe just enough to juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet…and failing miserably.
I was a struggling romance novelist and editor by day and any other waking hour a waitress and maid. I remember taking over the Austin Moms Instagram on one occasion, and the most interesting thing I had going on that day was scrubbing the toilets of a local Airbnb.
But I was never ashamed. Maybe negative and pitiful to the point of boring, self-destructive, and extremely exhausted. But never ashamed. I knew deep down in my gut that I was on the road to something greater than I could see at the time. I didn’t know what it was then, but my instinct told me it was going to be a state of peace. I just needed to get to the other side of that battlefield.
It took gallons of blood, sweat, and tears to claw my way out of it. And it took much longer than I could have ever anticipated. Sometimes I’d wonder if it would ever happen…
Then I discovered a secret, a universal hack that changed my life, one that I want to share with all of you because it is the blueprint to manifest your dream life…
There’s a glow in each one of us, a burning fire placed inside at birth that is ignited when we honestly and shamelessly own up to our authentic self-worth.
No sob story or traumatic event or addiction or mistake impacts the existence of this innate worthiness until we stand in our own way by being unkind to ourselves, abusing ourselves, cruelly neglecting the curious child inside of us who was once so full of light.
I’ve learned so much over the years, and I have come back to Austin Moms because I hope to share something, anything, that could help a parent out there realize their true power. This power doesn’t come from possessing a fancy house, a relationship, a white SUV, or a smashing career. It’s existed in you all along.
What I want out of this experience is to connect with you, dear readers. I want to hear your story, help you navigate this reality, be inspired by you, and encourage you all to love yourself deeply because one thing I know for absolute certainty is that self-love is exactly what your children want for each and every one of you.
Let’s take a vow together here and now to do it for them, but always, ALWAYS, first and foremost for ourselves. Because once we show our babies how much we love ourselves, we are guaranteed to inspire them to do the same.
You go girl!
Love you,
Suzanne