The day I found out I was pregnant I was very upset and didn't know what to do. 

I had so many different emotions and knew that it was going to be very hard, especially with me still being in college. I didn't know how I was going to tell my parents, my family, or my church. I felt like a terrible person and didn't want anyone to know. 

After having two positive pregnancy tests I decided to go to Compassion Care Center. 

This was one of the best decisions I could have ever made. 

When I got there, I took another pregnancy test and it was positive, and then after that, I had an ultrasound. After I saw my little baby on the ultrasound I was at a loss for words. 

I had no idea what I was going to do. I had so many emotions and felt like I had no one. 

After my ultrasound, I talked to Shonda from the center about life and about this new baby. I let her know the way I felt and told her about all my emotions. I told her how scared I was to tell my parents, and how bad of a person I felt because of this. 

She sat down and talked to me and explained to me that this baby is a blessing. Even though this baby was not planned by me, God had it planned for me. She explained to me that even though I was still in college and living at home, she knew that I could do this and get through this. She let me know that she was there for me, and we ended up staying in contact even after that day. 

After we talked for a while about my life, and the new baby, we prayed together. After we prayed all my emotions just came out. 

I cried for a long time, but I was realizing after what she said that I can get through this, and I was going to do everything I could to be the best mom for this baby. 

Shonda gave me a bag with lots of information for new moms. 

I ended up going home after that and telling my parents. It was very hard for them to cope with at first, but eventually they accepted it. 

I started going back to Compassion Care every week after that to take classes, which offered videos about pregnancy and babies. 

Watching these videos helped me so much, because it was a lot of new information that I did not know. I learned a lot of stuff about pregnancy and caring for newborns.

I earned points every time that I came to watch these videos by viewing them and doing homework sheets. The points I earned I could use to buy stuff in the center’s store. The store had many different items that I could choose from, like maternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers, wipes, and toys. These items helped me tremendously. 

Without Compassion Care offering these classes and items, I wouldn't have known what to do. 

I have learned so many things that I didn't know before, and they have given me the best support. 

I absolutely love everyone there and appreciate everything that they have done for me. 

I just recently had my daughter and she has become my entire life. There are no words to explain the love you will have for your child. 

Many people would say those same words to me before I had a baby and I would not understand them, but after having my daughter, it all makes sense. She is my absolute everything. 

I know one thing though, if I would have not been involved with Compassion Care Center, I would have not been able to do this. 

They were a lifesaver, and I cannot express enough how thankful I am that they were there for me every step of the way. I hope that anyone who has this same experience will go to them and get the help that you need. They are truly a lifesaver. Thank you so much to Jennifer, Shonda, and Bonnie for giving me the support and help that I needed.

On February 1, 2018, those two little pink lines showed up on a pregnancy test from the local Dollar Store. At that moment, I knew my life would be forever changing. All I could keep thinking about was that I am going to be a mom.

Then panic mode set in. 

How am I going to tell my parents? What will they think? How am I going to do this without any of my family close by? How am I going to tell the father that I had only known for a few short months? What are people going to think about me? How will I afford taking care of a baby?  

The next chapter of my life was going to be different, but little did I know, it would be the best that I could ever have been given.

After having some scary moments and finally seeing that little blur on the ultrasound screen at the doctor’s office, I still did not know what God had in store for me and my baby.  

After talking with my church group, I was introduced to Heather and Reliance Center, when I was about 8 weeks pregnant. 

At Reliance they started mentoring me immediately and had me enroll in Embrace Grace, a program of support groups. 

While being mentored, I was finding my worth and who I was not only as a female but as a strong, single mom.   

Heather (the founder of Reliance) was not only my mentor, and a local leader for Embrace Grace, but a very dear friend who talks to you just like another human. We all make mistakes, but one of the best things about it is learning from those mistakes. Heather is one of the most amazing and real people that I know. She is not afraid to tell you about her own mistakes. 

Before I got pregnant, I was a hot mess. I did not know how much I was worth and how much God really does love me. I feel like Reliance Center, Heather and Embrace Grace, saved my life and let me know that I am worthy of so many things that God has in store for me and my son.

There were times during my pregnancy and afterward when I thought questioned whether adoption was the best option. Being a single mom with bills and doing it all on my own, I thought there was no way that I would be able to raise a little human on my own and give him everything that he needed. But every time I was struggling, I would visit or call Reliance, and they talked me through things, and I always felt better. During my pregnancy I had a lot of times when paying my bills were very hard. There were several times that I had to reach out to the Reliance Center and ask for resources to help paying for my rent and energy bills, and they were always there for me.

On September 28 at 1:10 a.m., I welcomed my son, Brantlee Lewis, into this big scary world. I always thought new moms were overreacting and over the top when they talked about being a mom - until I held Brantlee in my arms.  

He has opened my eyes and my heart like I have never seen or felt anything before.

After having Brantlee and living in my apartment, there were several times where I could not afford to pay for daycare or my electric bill. The Reliance Center has helped Brantlee and me in several ways that I am so grateful for. Other times when I felt overwhelmed or just needed to talk, and I was always met with grace and a place to vent. Without them we would not be where we are today. 

I have taken parenting and other classes at Reliance and they have impacted my life so much.  Even though Brantlee is only 11 months old, the parenting classes offer a way for me to learn new things and think about how I am going to raise him to the best of my ability. 

I would not be the mother I am today without Reliance Center and Heather in my life. She has taught me that God does love me, and He does not judge me for things that I have done in my past.

Not only did Reliance Center help me, they helped my son’s father. He started attending classes in their men’s program and learned so much. Even though he and I are not in a relationship any longer, I can rest a little easier knowing that he has been taught so many great things about how to be a dad. I believe they planted a seed in his heart as well. 

I let God into my heart when Brantlee was about three months old. At the same time, he was dedicated. Since Heather and the Reliance Center have helped us so much, it makes my heart happy to know that I am able to give back to them in any way that I can. 

Brantlee would not be here and the sweet, kind, big hearted, little boy that he is today without the help of his Auntie Heather and Uncle Rick. 

I am so grateful to be able to give back to the Reliance Center and help any of the mommas or ladies that come to the center. It makes me feel so good to be able to speak to people about this amazing opportunity that I have had.

Update: On New Years Eve 2020 Brittni got the keys to her Habitat House! Reliance Center nominated her and she did the hard work to receive a brand new home. She married in June of 2021 and received a promotion to a new position within the hospital where she works. Brittni will graduate in November with her degree in Health Information and Technology.

When I first thought I was pregnant, my first reaction was to consider abortion, not because I didn’t want to keep the child, I just felt I was not prepared. I thought a child would sidetrack me from the dreams I had for my life; music, dancing, going to college and more. I was also nervous about judgment from my family, disappointment from people who looked up to me and falling into the teen mom stereotype. I did not look at it from a positive point of view, only a negative view and it took me getting out of denial before I could see the positive side. 

One day I went online and searched for free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. I knew I first needed to find out if I was really pregnant. Since I did not want my parents to know, they couldn’t take me to the appointment. So, I researched questions about parental consent with hospitals and medical care. 

While searching, the very first ad link that popped up was from Alpha Women’s Center (then ICU Mobile Twin Cities). It said they give free pregnancy tests and free ultrasounds, and that I could know all results the same day. I clicked on the link, still unsure about my thoughts on abortion and still in disbelief about being pregnant. I hesitated for days, which turned into weeks, and as time went by, I didn’t know how far along I was in my pregnancy. 

When I finally called the Alpha Women’s Center number, I left a message on the center’s confidential line and I heard from Alpha’s nurse Jessica the next day. She introduced herself, explained her role and asked what I needed. I told her I wanted to know for sure if I was pregnant. Jessica answered my questions and explained that they offer information for people thinking about adoption or how to start prenatal care. We set up an appointment for a pregnancy test.

Leading up to the appointment day, I did not know how to keep it secret or how to even get to there, since I didn’t have a driver’s license. I finally asked a friend for a ride. She drove me there but did not know I might be pregnant. I expected an actual building and thought it would be easy to get dropped off and just go inside and my friend wouldn’t t know what I was doing. But when we got there, I saw the Alpha Women’s Center mobile truck and realize that is where I should go. I had my friend drive around in the lot as though I couldn’t find my appointment, but eventually, I had no choice but to have her drop me off in front of the truck. Then she asked me if there was something I wanted to tell her. She had a son of her own from a teen pregnancy, so I knew I could trust her, but I wasn’t ready to discuss it before my appointment. 

Once I went into the mobile center, Julie and Jessica asked to get to know me and let me know they would support me. Jessica explained the details of taking the pregnancy test very well, but I was still shaking, out of my mind, while taking the test. She showed me the results right away to say, yes, I was pregnant. First, I started crying, because this was reality, and my denial was coming to the surface. Jessica explained that we could do the ultrasound next if I wanted to, and not to worry, to not be scared. And then with the wand on my stomach we found my baby! 

Even though I was scared and nervous and didn’t really want to be pregnant, the moment I saw my baby on the screen my whole perspective changed! Seeing life inside me moving, I could not let him go, I could not go through an abortion. I was ready to put my whole life on hold. I was crying and it was happy tears. It was a lot for me as a 16-year-old who hadn’t told anyone I may be pregnant and had not even believed it myself. Jessica printed off the ultrasound pictures of Darrell and gave me lots of information about different types of adoptions, where to go for prenatal care, and she gave me prenatal vitamins. She told me I was five months pregnant, further along than I had been thinking. Now I immediately wanted to keep my child and no longer wanted to consider an abortion. 

About a month or so later my dad walked in my room one day and asked how I was feeling. I had been dropping hints about my pregnancy but still had not told him. We talked about how I was doing and school, and then he confronted me, and I had all those same feelings about telling him that I had earlier. I know he’d had a lot of trust in me and it would be hardest to tell him. Once he knew, I was relieved and scared at the same time. I knew he was trying to be supportive of me, yet he was also upset and disappointed. I was seven months along by then.

I needed to figure out a plan if I wanted to parent my son. I wanted to finish high school and go to college, but this would mean so much work, so I started to wonder, “How could I do all this?”  My dad asked how I would support my child and go to high school at the same time, and lots of other questions. I thought if I made sure that I was going to be ok, then I was going to be able to help my child be ok. I knew things were not the best with our relationship and I was losing my best friend in my dad, and it made me start questioning whether I could really do this, and whether adoption was the way I needed to go. But it hit me that I wanted to be there for the milestones in my son’s life, like starting to talk and walk, and all those things.  

As my family and I drifted apart, I grew closer to my son and felt less lonely. Sometimes distance helps people come back together, so I started thinking of living on my own. Instead, I went to live with another. My dad and my new family and I had a meeting along with Alpha Women’s Center nurse Jessica and Annie the director, creating a written plan for how to make it work. I moved in with Wendy and Miles and was welcomed into the family with open arms, without judgment or questions. I felt like I did not have to change who I was because of this gift they had given me. I have been getting to know a lot of how their family lives and their traditions, and it opened my eyes to how to teach my own son and it’s made it easier. I missed my family, but sometimes times being apart is better. Wendy and Miles really pushed me to get my summer school done, and start my drivers-ed classroom instruction and helped me get rides everywhere, and to get a plan for the final two months before my son was born. 

Suddenly it was time for the big day of Darrell’s birth. My short-term goals were met, like finishing summer school. And I passed my driver’s permit test just two days before I went into labor. I didn’t know how I would do all that, yet I was able to with Wendy and Miles pushing me on, and it made me feel accomplished like if I keep doing this I am going to be able to make it, and how I can push myself after I have my son.  

Being in the labor room gave me time to connect with the main people who pushed me to accomplish what I needed to do: my parents, my best friend, my new family, and Jessica. Being able to share that special moment with those who had pushed and supported me, made it so special. The pictures after Darrell’s birth will be great in the future for when he will get to see who was there with me to help bring him into this world. It meant the world to me. When I was able to see my parents there, regardless of our ups and downs, it helped me see what family is. Family is there regardless of arguments and disagreements, and family is always there for each other. I will teach my son, all those people around you that are who you call when you need help, and you can’t make it without your family.

Now looking at it from starting the journey to taking care in raising my own child, now I see my parents’ view about how kids do grow up fast. And Darrell will soon have his own story too, but it started with how he got here. Then he can think, “My mom did it and followed her dreams, regardless of the obstacles in her way, and those who did not think she could do it. She stuck to true to who she is.” You make it as far as you push yourself. You can’t do it if you don’t believe in yourself. And it matters who you spend time with, so seek out those who will support you.

Being a teen mom does not mean my story has to end, it means it is just beginning. Now I feel like my life is starting, as I live my life for my son. I want my story to be heard so other girls will not feel alone. Hard things might happen but let them teach you to get back up and be even stronger.

I was in a relationship that seemed perfect on the outside but was very abusive and manipulating. 

I had been basically brainwashed to believe anything he said was right; I was always wrong. 

I endured years of mental and physical abuse. I never acknowledged the abuse as abuse until I got out of the relationship. 

Even after months of him cheating and my letting him push me around, I agreed to have a baby with him. I thought agreeing to have a baby for him would “change” him. 

After I became pregnant, he told me he only got me pregnant so that I would be “his forever” and not because he wanted me to have his baby. 

He continued to be verbally and physically abusive, but I stayed because I loved him and just “knew” I could help him change. 

Our baby was born prematurely and required a two-week NICU stay. 

I stayed in the NICU the entire time with our baby completely alone, and he only visited once for about 30 minutes. 

When I finally got to come home with our baby, the relationship just got worse. 

We fought often and when I finally realized how unhealthy the situation was, I decided to take our boy and move out. 

It was then that I decided to apply for nursing school and even made it through the process of interview rounds. 

About two weeks before my interview for nursing school, he asked me to come over, so I did. 

He and I had an argument which resulted in him pushing me hard enough that I fell and broke my arm. I made up a story that I had just fallen and broken my arm, which I told often that I eventually believed it myself. 

I continued to let him get away with his actions. 

I had to have surgery the same week as my nursing school interview. At that point, I was going to give up on even trying for nursing school. 

My administrator at my job heard about what had happened and knew I needed more help than I was willing to ask for at that time, ad introduced me to Juli Merciez at The Cottage. 

If it wasn’t for chatting with Juli, I would have not gone to my nursing school interview. Juli helped me when I didn’t know how to help myself. She helped me move into The Cottage residential maternity home where I was provided with everything my son and I needed. Juli helped me prepare when I received my admittance letter for nursing school and helped me grow more with God. She even pinned me when I graduated as an LPN. 

After taking the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination for nurses) and receiving my LPN, I continued to work at my current employer as a charge nurse and then as a wound care nurse. 

Nearly a year later, I met a man who I fell head-over-heels for. He was very respectful toward me and my son. 

I was with him about nine months before I became pregnant with my daughter. I found out while I was out of state for vacation and was instantly full of mixed emotions.  It wasn’t supposed to happen, I wasn’t ready by any means to have another baby. 

I told him when I got home from vacation. He was excited as can be. He did not have any kids of his own and was ready to have his own child. While I was away, he had picked up the habit of excessive drinking and taking pills. 

Even though he was initially excited, he changed over the following weeks. He told me it was not his baby, said some other nasty things to me and that I should just go have an abortion. 

It was then that I called Juli. I didn’t want to bring another child into my crazy messed up life. I needed help to find a place that performed abortions but didn't know where to start. 

She listened to my concerns and prayed with me to make the best decision. Juli helped me understand that God gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers. 

I decided to continue with my pregnancy, and I broke up with the father. He later got into trouble and went to prison, missing her birth and most of my pregnancy. 

I thought every day that there was absolutely no way I could do this alone. But I’m not alone. I have God in my circle even when I don’t feel like I have anyone. 

Becoming pregnant the second time really opened my eyes much more to how necessary it was for me to become involved in church. I began to make it a habit to go every Sunday and even to the occasional services on weekdays. 

My baby girl is now nearing three months old. I’ve taken care of all my responsibilities and have even advanced in my role at work to an administrative nursing position. Had I never met Juli when I did, I cannot say I’d be where I am today. Even to this day, she continues to be there for me when I need help or even just advice.