My story will never end and I couldn't be happier with the person I have become today. A few words to describe the person I am:

Strong- I have been threw many ups and downs in life but I have always managed to look past all the struggles, to overcome them, to face my fears head on, to never let people bring me down no matter what they say or do.

Kind- I am a nice person to everyone I meet and yes there are people at the end of the day that are not going to like me but I don't let it affect me in my daily life. I am kind to people who are kind to me and to others who act differently towards me I just laugh it off because in life laughter is the best medicine.

Unique- I know everyone says they are unique in their own way but I truly believe I was meant for something more in life and with the way I act, they way I view things is because of all the experiences I have been threw in my life. I never change the person I am and if someone can't except you for who you are then they were never meant to be apart of your life in the first place.

Smart- I might have made some mistakes in my past and who hasn't but all in all I have grown to be someone who can read people, who can help others in need, who need advice. Even if people don't take it I like the fact that they can come up to me to ask me and I will do my best to give them the possible solution. I am smart by always keeping my guard up and only caring for family or friends because at the end of the day that is all we have left. We must be smart in who we allow ourselves to be and in order to do that you must know what you want in life, go for it and never give up.

When I was born I didn't know who I was, who my parents were, if I had brothers or sister or anything about myself. Over the years I built relationships with family and friends who have made me the person I am today:

My Mommy and Daddy; you both gave me life on this place called earth. I cannot express how much you both mean to me and I thank you for your support in your own ways. I love you both and always will, no matter what happens in life I will always have you in my heart wherever I go. God blessed me with parents that I will never take for granted and love you both from the bottom of my heart.

To my Vavo (Grandma) R.I.P.: You always use to tell me I was perfect the way I was and to never let anyone tell me other wise. I love you more then words could say and miss you so much. I would give anything in this world to see your face again, to hear your voice, to hear you laugh. I know you are in a better place and watching down like the angel you are. I respect you so much and try to follow your example everyday by being nice to people no matter what. You are my hero and I will never forget you, I will love you forever. Your memory will always live on in my heart and mind.

My sister Jennifer and my brother Joe: I wish you nothing but the best in the future and will remember all the great times we have had together. Memories are a gift and they will always have a place in my heart.

My nephew Matthew Joseph Mendes Da Costa; you were born on September 15, 2006 and when I held you for the first time in my arms I felt something, I felt love, you were an angel sent to our lives. I thank God he sent you and you are perfect in my eyes, I will always be there for you, I will always love you. I am not just your Aunt/Godmother but I am your friend and if you ever need advice I will always be there to help you in any way I can. I love you and remember that you are the best thing that ever happened in my life.

To all my friends who have stuck by my side and still are around to this day, you know who you are. All the memories, all the conversations and random times, I will always cherish them because at one point in time it was what I wanted in life. I take all those memories and we will make better ones in the future but always know that without you I wouldn't be this person. You all have impacted my life by talking to me, accepting me for my flaws and I want you to know that I will always respect you for that. Love you all!

I have learned many things in my life as well;

I learned to never give in, never give up and never surrender. If you do then your giving into negative but you need to overcome it by surrounding yourself with people who bring out the best in you and not the worst.

I have learned that in order to make dreams happen you need to have a plan and I can honestly say that I have a plan in life, I plan to succeed, I plan to not let anyone get in my way, I plan to never give up no matter what the outcome is because in order to succeed you must try, try again.

I also learned the most important lesson in life and that is this; yes I might not be perfect, neither are you but at least I can tell the world that I am this person, that I am proud of myself, that I am grateful for the people in my life, that I can overcome anything that comes my way and that I have the courage to move on with life.

At the end of the day its up to you to make your own happiness and one thing is for sure; we are all looking for sustainable happiness.