Valentine’s Day is supposed to be filled with love, warmth, and joy.For me and my son Xavier, it became the most terrifying night of our lives.

In the early hours of Valentine’s Day, I woke up choking struggling to breathe as thick, heavy smoke filled our home. The air was so dense I could barely see or think. My chest burned, my throat closed, and panic set in as I realized our apartment was on fire. I grabbed my son, my heart racing, praying we would make it out alive I rushed to the window and tossed him out while I tried to search for my fur baby and phone.

Instead of waking up to a day of love and happiness, we woke up fighting for our lives.

We experienced smoke inhalation and a near death experience that changed us forever. Within moments, everything we owned was gone. Our furniture, clothes, personal items, and keepsakes. The pieces of our life we worked so hard to build were destroyed. We walked away with only each other and for that, I am beyond grateful. Because the truth is… we are lucky to be alive.

By the grace of God and the support of our apartment complex, we are being placed into a new unit. Even though we have been going through major issues with them due to a recent property management takeover, they have decided to relocate us into another home. For that I am thankful. But emotionally and financially, we are starting completely over from nothing.

This has been one of the most heartbreaking and emotional experiences of our lives. As a mother, nothing hurts more than seeing your child scared, displaced, and unsure of what comes next. I am doing everything I can to stay strong for Xavier and to keep hope alive for us both.

I normally would never ask anyone for help. Pride has always told me to figure things out on my own. But this situation is bigger than me. It’s about my child. It’s about making sure he has a safe, stable, and healthy place to call home again. It’s about rebuilding not just what we lost physically, but the sense of security every child deserves.

So today, I am putting my pride aside and asking for support as we try to rebuild our lives from the ground up. Any donation big or small will go toward replacing essentials like clothing, furniture, household items, and helping us create a safe and comforting space for Xavier to heal and grow.

If you cannot donate, please consider sharing our story and keeping us in your prayers. Your kindness, love, and support mean more than words can ever express.

We survived for a reason and with your help, we will rebuild, recover, and keep hope alive together.

~Dee and XO