“I have this weird autoimmune illness that the doctors have never really been able to figure out. My case has been written up in several medical journals because it’s so strange. “Years of medication and what have you affected my kidneys,...
“The toughest part about dealing with my autoimmune illness is just the unknown. A lot of people wear those little ribbons and bands to represent what illness they’re dealing with, but I decided on this tattoo. It’s a little bird with...
“I’m due in December, 10 days after my birthday. It’s a girl. I had two miscarriages last year, so I’m excited for this one. “The first time, we didn’t know what it was. The second one was a baby boy. I...
“My father passed away in February. We miss him so much. He and my mother were married 55 years. We were all really close. It’s just crazy now that he’s not around. “He had pulmonary fibrosis. He was admitted to the...
“Basically, my whole life revolves around the military. That’s where I feel the most comfortable. When I walk into the VA Hospital, for instance, I know I’m among my brothers and sisters. “So many veterans are dealing with PTSD, homelessness and...
“I’ve been married twice. Eleven years the first time. The last one, 23 years. Now I’m engaged again.” Third time is the charm, right? “That’s what he said because it will be his third, too. He did justice of the peace...
This mom started a clothing exchange out of necessity. Her idea has grown into a program that benefits hundreds of local families, who donate clothing they no longer wear so that they can select other clothes they need. “In the summer...
“I come from the generation that transgender was unheard of, or the stories that were heard were considered circus acts. “Over the years I have tried to get help several times because I have been dealing with this my entire life....
“I married somebody in the military, so we moved all over the world. My kids were born in Italy. When we came back to the states, we started hosting foreign exchange students because we wanted to keep some of that diverse...
“In addition to our full-time jobs, my wonderful wife of two years, Erica, and I have a photography/videography business. We do weddings, family reunions, events, parties and portraiture work. I started my business, Double M Photography, in 2012 just after I...
