When I started this blog I had one single mom friend, now I feel I have thousands.

I know many of you feel the same way having found my blog. Often many of you send me photos of yourselves and your little ones and my heart melts each time, especially today when I found this picture in my inbox of Robin and her son Reagan.

I wanted to share these words of her story of calling off her wedding to her abusive fiance:

It was the most stressful time of my life to the point where my hair was falling out like a cancer patient, but oddly enough, it was the most joyous phase of rediscovery and empowerment. I called off the wedding, struck out on my own … but then had to move abruptly to another state, leaving behind a life I carefully built as a young professional because my ex- took stalking to a new level of physical threats of violence. In many ways I lost everything — but in so many other ways I gained an entire world of new possibilities.

Robin is now living her dream career as a new media journalist for Zootoo Pet News, featured on the New York Post among others. Click here to see one of her newscasts and take a look at that beautiful necklace she’s wearing.

Robin’s comment reminds me of something I wrote in Ms. Single Mama Uncensored. Here’s an excerpt from the Rapunzel Complex:

I walked through my mother’s garden and let my hands lightly touch the flowers surrounding me, running my fingertips through their soft petals. I wondered if I could ever be so beautiful and innocent again. Benjamin was in his sling, still stirring, but just seconds away from finally falling asleep. A restless newborn, he had yet to sleep for more than six hours straight. His father had occasionally taken him from me in the night, but Benjamin’s screams would only intensify. Minutes later he would be back in my arms, my exasperated husband insisting I take the baby so he could sleep.

Now my husband was gone. And I was free— well, almost. I still had Benjamin strapped to my chest during all of my waking hours outside of work. The pressure was immense and unrelenting, but the peace that came with that extra few feet in my bed, the quiet drama-free nights and being in control of my destiny – no matter how uncertain it seemed – gave me hope that soon Benjamin and I would be back on our feet and stronger than ever.

In honor of all of my beautiful single mamas finding their way or who have already found their way, here’s another contest! Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win.

A sexy apron from FlirtyAprons.com!!!

along with a copy of Ms. Single Mama Uncensored: Dating, Sex and Love

And a New Leaf necklace in brass, like the one Robin is wearing in her newscast.

Four runners-up winners will receive a copy of  Ms. Single Mama Uncensored: Dating, Sex and Love.

Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered! Deadline on this one is Friday August 28, 2009. While you’re at it leave a comment in my Back to School Contest, that one runs until September 4, 2009.

[P.S. The silver necklaces are almost gone, I have three left in 18" chains and only 12 in the 16" chain. If you would like a longer chain just leave me a note at your purchase. I have plenty left in both lengths in the brass necklaces. The creator of our necklaces is leaving on a wonderful, extended European vacation so I may not be replenishing the stock until next Spring.]

Related posts:

1. The Ultimate Single Mom Contest
2. Single Mamas for Obama
3. Single Mamas for Obama!