Category: Uncategorized

Sister Bonds and Boy Bands

They say that a bond between sisters is one like none other. Having two sisters myself, I have to attest to that. My two older sisters and I hardly have anything in common. One of us can be described as quiet and reserved. The other can be loud and silly, and that is very much under exaggerated. And me, well, I would like to think I fall somewhere in between them. Even with all our differences, there is one thing that always bonds us together, and it has nothing to do with us having the same parents. It’s the one thing that almost no one understands, and some people probably think its super cheesy. And this one thing is, our love for NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!

Ever since I can remember, we all loved our New Kids on the Block. We had posters, T-shirts, VHS tapes, and I think even some type of bedding. Even long after they stopped making albums, we would sit in front of the TV and watch the VHS tapes day after day, imagining how we would react if we were at the concert or trying to learn all the dance moves. We watched it so often that eventually my brother hid the tapes from us because he got so sick of us watching it all the time. Don’t worry, we found it and made a marathon of it!

Then, many years later, to our surprise, it was our dream come true! They were reuniting, making a new album, and going on tour! The first concert we attended, it was like we were 12 years old again, screaming, jumping, pretty much looking like a bunch of school girls obsessed with their famous boy band. Well two of us were at least. The quiet and reserved sister was smiling big with her binoculars to her face so she could get a good look, it’s still a joke we bring up now. It was one of the best sister nights we ever had, and it started a tradition.

Every year, we anxiously await any type of announcement of a tour or new album. Even when one of them did solo albums, we researched tours and appearances. And that was one of our luckiest ones. We paid about $25 to get general admission to Jordan Knights solo album appearance at a small outdoor center in Helotes TX. I was about 7 months pregnant and huge! But I didn’t care, I was going!   I even made a T-shirt, in hopes I would catch Jordan’s eye. Well, my big belly gave one of the security guards a heart and let us get a good standing spot in the corner. I’ll never forget my sister’s screams to Jordan: “WHAT ABOUT HER BABY?! JORDAN!!!! WHAT ABOUT HER BABY?!” And then, he saw me, read my shirt, and said “I will!” I may be the youngest of us three, but that night I made my sisters jealous as Jordan brought me on stage and signed my baby bump!

And now, the three of us finally got to meet the whole band. As many times as we have attended their concerts, it was time to splurge on meet and greet passes. We sang, we danced, we screamed, we laughed, we cried! They may never remember me or my sisters, but for us, it was a night to remember always!   My sisters and I have always had our ups and downs, our close times and our distances. But at the end of the day, our love for New Kids on the Block will always keep us ‘Hangin Tough’!

*Special thanks and shout outs to the special men in our lives who although they think we’re a little nuts, they still help out with the kids so we can have our once in a blue moon sister night with the new kids!

-Marielis, Blockhead sister for life

Jordan Knight signs baby bump

 

Where do I sign?

And then there I was, after months of putting my best efforts, sitting in the waiting room of an attorney’s office. It wasn’t the first time I was there, but this time was different. This time I knew, this time I was ready. As much as I prayed for this day not to come, God cleared the path before me instead and gave me a strength I never had before. Flashes of memories went through my mind as I spoke some of the details out with my attorney. Every hurt, both physical and emotional, raced through my mind. I was calm, yet so angry inside. How did I allow this man to hurt and betray me to this point?

It wasn’t always so bad. Bits of joy and laughter crossed my mind as well, but it was when my son’s innocent face came to my mind that helped me pick up the pen. This was not what I wanted for him in any shape or form. I didn’t know how his future would be after this, but I did know that he deserved so much better. At the very least, he deserved a better me. It was by far the most difficult step I have ever had to take. I was angry with myself and I blamed myself for him having to grow up in a “broken home.” No one in my family had ever been divorced so I didn’t know what this was supposed to be like- this thing called Divorce.

Our separation period wasn’t any easier. The pleading began; I started hearing all the sweet nothings I had waited so long to hear. I watched as my parents cried for the hurt that I was going through, but also as they tried to be strong enough to keep it together for me. I was now living in their house as I waited for answers and things to settle, one way or another. Going to the court house for what was supposed to be the final hearing, I watched my then husband come into the mediation room with his wedding ring on. The same wedding ring that he left in a drawer or in his car whenever he went out with friends. How was I supposed to take this? So many questions went through my mind, and the confidence I once had to file for divorce was no longer there. God, what are you doing to me? Why can’t I be steady about this now? So I waited…

I prayed, and prayed and prayed some more. God, help me make the right decision. Show me the way. All I got back at times was to wait; wait until you can walk away knowing you did everything and until my heart was ready. I remember one Sunday morning while at church during prayer time, I found my way to our Pastor. I’ll never forget the words he told me, “The happiest days of your family and of your life are still ahead of you.” The vision of my family was no longer there, but my pastor’s words that morning spoke life into my future. I now felt as if somehow things would be okay and that God would tell me when it was time. Every day that went by, something would be revealed that helped me let go more easily. I continued to witness the broken promises, heard more lies, and even got a confession of an affair in which I already knew about. But it was that last 911 phone call that I made that broke the stronghold this man had on me. I made a promise to myself that it would be the last time I ever had to call the police on my husband.

Finally, the day came. June 19, 2014 was the day my year officially started over. It was the day I signed off to my divorce. I walked away that day with no regrets and no what-ifs because I knew I had patiently and sometimes anxiously waited for God’s guidance. I still didn’t know where my story would go after that, but I knew it wasn’t over. Now, almost three years later, I feel beyond blessed to have the life I have now. God delivered and I have experienced some of the happiest days of my life. I know this is just the beginning.

If you are going through a divorce, you don’t have to go through it alone. Find support. If you know someone who is going through a divorce pray for them, or better yet pray with them because in the end, I know I could not have survived this if it wasn’t for God, my family, my church, and my friends.

-Marielis, Survivor of Divorce

 

The Unedited Me

I’m 31 years old. I’m a woman, a mom, a full-time employee, a Christ follower, a sister, a daughter, a friend. I didn’t plan most of the things that have happened in my life, I don’t think any of us do.    I’m not perfect and have made my fair share of mistakes.  At 27 years old, I was a newly single mom, which was not where I was supposed to be according to my childhood dreams.  I spent some time finding myself again, renewing my relationship with God and gaining trust in friendships again that I had previously lost.

My now 5-year-old son, changed my life from the moment he was born and continues to keep me on my toes daily. When they say motherhood is the hardest but most rewarding job, it is no joke!  I can find myself exhausted one minute, but one sound of that laughter of his, can make the smile on my face last for hours, and all because he made a fart sound but didn’t actually fart.  Ahhhh, the life of having a boy…

I come from an interesting family. And by interesting, I really mean crazy, loud, fun, Puerto Rican, and oh so loving!  I’m the youngest of four kids, and we’re lucky enough to have all of our kids growing up together.  My parents are still married and still so much in love.  True relationship goals!  Once you are a friend of the family, you’re no longer just a friend, you are family and my mom and Grandma will make sure you eat well every time you are over at their house!

I’ve started this new venture of blogging to finish something I feel God has called me to do about many things.  I’m not a professional writer,  but it’s always been something I love to do and my hope is just to be able to share my stories, experiences, thoughts on topics from motherhood and fitness to food and relationships.  So please join in on reading my blog and sharing!

-Marielis, unedited