You have a story, I have a story, we all have a story to tell.

I’ve known all along that part of my blog would be to tell people’s stories, because I believe each of us has a story to tell and each one matters. There are parts that only you know and bits and pieces that others get to know but all of it makes up who you are. To know someone’s story fully is such a beautiful gift because the layers paint a picture of who we truly are.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet, often we are covered in bumps and bruises along the way. We fall down, we get back up and sometimes we do that over and over again. Every detail of our lives makes up who we are and the incredible story to tell.

This is Tyler’s story, as told through my eyes...

Tyler is my oldest son, he is the heart and soul behind this blog, behind the You Are Lovely project. Tyler died on June 10, 2018 leaving my heart shattered into a million pieces. Heartbroken, devastated, angry, and confused, I was certain that I would not survive this but here I am, choosing to do something beneficial with my grief.

Tyler’s death was an accidental drug overdose and I’m sure there are those who have an awful opinion on that but I simply do not have time to focus on any negative or hateful thing that could be said about my son. I am too busy seeking ways for others to know and believe that they are worthy of a better way.

That they are loved.

That they matter.

That they belong.

Tyler was born on September 15, 1990

He was 4 weeks early, weighing only 5 pounds... he was beautiful and he was perfect but from the time he was a little boy he struggled. Tyler was funny and mischievous and it often got him into trouble, he hated school from the first grade on and really struggled with his dad not being in his life. Tyler was extremely close with his papa and when he passed away all of Tyler’s bad choices began. He got into a lot of trouble when he was a teenager but pulled himself out of it as he got older. For several years he went back and forth between good choices and bad choices and life felt hard for him.

Tyler struggled with so much but he was a beautiful soul with so much to offer, but he never believed it about himself. I will never sugar coat all the struggles Tyler had, because they are truths and they are part of his story but they never should have been the reason he died. He was worth so much more than this outcome.

This is not all of Tyler’s story, there is so much more than the struggles he had.

Tyler was Smart, to the point of brilliant. He loved to read and learn and study, he loved gaining knowledge. He was very loving and generous and did not know a stranger. He was pretty much for all things except abortion. He loved his son and loved being a dad and did not want to fail at it. He loved little kids, dogs, video games, disc golf, pizza, pie and candy.

Tyler holding his son for the first time

Tyler was loved by so many but it was not enough to save him. His bout with drugs was fast and ended quickly, to this day I have no idea why he started using. I just know that I am left with the fact that my son is no longer here.

I made a decision just as swiftly, that what we are doing to help, encourage and love others through, is not working. Yes, each of us needs to be responsible for the way we handle what life throws at us but the rest of us should not be a hindrance to another.

Because of Tyler, my life was forever changed. I miss my son more than I have words for and I loved him beyond measure. God gave me a word about Tyler when he was younger and true to His word, those things are taking place through the You Are Lovely project.

Tyler was always worth the fight.

God is on the move.

And this mom refuses to sit back and do nothing…..

It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done or what has been done to you, you are needed here.

You Are Lovely… don’t believe the lie