My rape happened just before I turned 21—a milestone that’s supposed to represent freedom. At 21, people celebrate independence, stepping into adulthood, making their own choices. But for me, that moment was marked by the exact opposite. My freedom wasn’t being discovered… it was taken.

And for a long time, that loss defined things in ways I didn’t always have words for.

But then something unexpected happened.

At 31—ten years later—God began restoring what I lost. Not in a surface-level, temporary way, but in something deeper. Something lasting. That was the year I started writing my book.

And looking back now, I see the contrast so clearly.

At 21, freedom was stolen.
At 31, freedom was rebuilt.

But this time, it wasn’t fragile or dependent on circumstances. It wasn’t about what people could give or take away. It was a freedom rooted in truth, in healing, in purpose. A freedom I was actively investing in—one that would carry into my entire future.

What I didn’t get at 21, I received in a greater form at 31.

Not just the freedom to exist—but the freedom to be, to speak, to own my story without shame.

And maybe that’s the real shift:
Temporary freedom was taken.
But lasting freedom was created.

And that kind of freedom… no one can steal. Ironic: I wore blue on my 21st birthday and even had blue streaks in my hair, the color blue represents the healing power of God! Wow! God was on my side, though it didn’t feel like it, he was there!! Me choosing that blue outfit wasn’t in vain at all, my mind and body was covered with Gods healing power! 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙