Take a look at Candice and her adorable kids.
Many of you might know Candice through her beautiful and inspiring YouTube channel (The Berretts). Some of you may have come to know her and her two children through her popular Tumblr page (singingwithcagedbirds.) More of you might have come to know her through the darling photos she posts on her instagram feed (Sitily.) and some may actually be lucky enough to know this woman personally. My wife and I are not only lucky enough to call Candice one of our dearest friends, but we also have had the privilege of living next door to her for a few years now. We have witnessed first hand the rollercoaster of extremely difficult events that have occurred this past year for Candice and her kids. We have seen the good days, the bad days, and the ugly days. Our hearts have ached with her through her massive turn of life events this year. It has been tragic and heartbreaking and devistating to see. But somehow in all that pain, we have also seen such incredible strength, beauty, and courage from this young mother. It has been amazing to see the moments where we can tell all she wants to do is breakdown and cry, but her kids would suddenly need a snack or a hug or to play a game, and Candice, without question, musters up the strength from somewhere deep inside to be the best mom she knows how and be there fully for her babies. It's been heart wrenching to see her first wipe her daughters tears, and then her own, on the hardest of days. Candice holds a deep-rooted kind of beauty and resilience that is rare and powerful. She keeps going even when I can see it so clearly in her eyes that she desperately wants to just lay down and nurture her own broken heart. Healing heartbreak takes time and it's so very painful. Candice is healing AND still being the kind of mother she values to her beautiful toddlers. We decided to start a gofundme campaign for Candice for a Christmas kindness. Candice would never admit this or let too many people know that finances have been very tough this past year. And getting harder. On her teaching salary, and suddenly only one income, things have been tight for her babies and herself. We want to help. And I know 100% of her followers will too. Our goal is to raise 20k for her by Christmas. Why 20k you ask? Because that will keep her and her kids in their home, guaranteed, for this 2017 year. 20k will cover her mortgage and utilities for an entire year plus a little cushion. (We know this because we are her neighbors and we are sneaky ;) ) We know money cannot heal her wounded heart, but it sure as hell doesn't make things any worse. I've seen the tears and heard the panic in her voice as Candice has bounced ideas off of us on how she can keep her house. She and her kids have been through enough change. Having to move to a new neighborhood in a new area will be extremely difficult. Let's help this wonderful lady out for 2017 and make this coming year a little less stressful. She deserves a break.