But none of them knew our story.
For eighteen years, my life had never been about celebrations.
It had been about survival.
I gave birth to my daughter, Emma, when I was seventeen years old.
Back then, I believed I was in love.
The father of my child promised we would build a life together.
He promised he would never leave.
He promised he would always be there for us.
Then one morning I woke up and discovered every promise had been a lie.
His clothes were gone.