My mom immigrated to New York City from Puerto Rico at only 15 years old. At such a young age, she was already pregnant with my oldest brother and was forced to leave her home. Coming to New York was not necessarily an easy choice, but it became an opportunity for her to create a fresh start and build a better life for herself and her baby. She came to New York with the responsibility of caring for her child and the determination to fend for herself despite being so young. Her story has always been meaningful to me because it shows how much strength and sacrifice can exist within one person, especially someone who had to grow up and become a mother under difficult circumstances. My mother's decision to start over in New York shaped not only her life, but also the lives of her children and the opportunities that would eventually be available to us.

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant