I’m Not the Past—I’m the Proof

Posted on June 2, 2025

Introduction: Standing in My Strength

Today, I stood in something I didn’t always know I had: my power. Not the loud kind. Not the courtroom kind. The quiet kind—the kind that shows up after you’ve been cracked open and rebuilt with your own hands.

I had a conversation about custody today. The kind that used to make my stomach drop. But this time, I showed up differently. Not with shame. Not with excuses. But with clarity, truth, and love.

The Me He Didn’t Expect

When I told Benjamin’s father I wanted 50/50 custody—including overnight visits and to remove supervised visitation—I felt calm. Grounded. Clear.

He responded with: “Let me absorb this.”

And although that sentence hit me with weight, I understood it wasn’t just my words he was processing—it was me. The woman I’ve become.

Because this is not the same Michelle from before. This is the Michelle who:

• Went back to rehab twice, because I wanted to be better, not just look better.
• Lost her home but never lost her heart.
• Held onto hope in a recovery bed, whispering prayers into the night.
• Never once stopped loving her son, even when the world questioned if I could.

A New Beginning—One Key at a Time

Today, I moved into my own apartment. It’s empty. No furniture yet. But it’s mine. And more importantly—it’s safe, stable, and sacred.

I told Benjamin’s dad, “I know I have trust to rebuild.”

I didn’t overshare the scars. I didn’t give him every detail of the breakdown or the rebuild. I didn’t have to. Because my presence was enough. My progress speaks loud enough now.

For the Moms Who’ve Had to Fight Twice as Hard

There’s a fear that lives in the bones of mothers who’ve stumbled—that people will only remember our worst moments. That no matter how far we come, we’ll still be viewed through the lens of who we used to be.

But let me say this clearly:

• You are not your past.
• You are not a single version of yourself.
• You are proof that redemption is real.
• You are allowed to grow—and be seen in your growth.

To My Son, Benjamin

If you ever read this one day, I want you to know something deep in your bones:

Your mama never stopped fighting for you.
Even when I was healing.
Even when I was hurting.
Even when it didn’t look like love from the outside—my heart was always full of you.

I love you, Benjamin. I’m proud of us. And I will never stop showing up.

With everything in me,
Michelle H.

Key Takeaways

• You are not the mistakes you’ve made—you are who you choose to become.
• Growth isn’t always visible right away, but it’s real, and it matters.
• Rebuilding takes time, but it also gives you power.
• Your story is valid, even if it’s still unfolding.

Your Turn: Let’s Talk

Have you ever had to rebuild from the ground up?
Have you had to prove that you’re no longer the person people assume you are?

💬 I’d love to hear your story.
Drop a comment below—or share this with someone who needs the reminder that they, too, can rise.

You are not alone. And you are not finished.