Madison Alexander

I’m from the product of two teenagers, young and in love; from a family that grew to five, that argues more than they get along and laughs more than they cry; from two parents that try their best to provide for every want and need, even when I don't deserve it; from a Father that loves his little girl and can’t stand to watch her grow up; from a Mother that loves to remember what it was like to be young and free; from a brother who loves to pick on his little sister; from a sister who yearns to grow up and be like her older sister. I’m from a place that I know that I’m always welcome; from a place that my family will always be; from a place that I never have to be alone.

I’m from a stream of cardboard boxes and moving vans: from a repeated cycle of good-byes; from a new place that I would one day call home.

I'm from a small town where everyone knows everything that there is to know about everyone; from a city where you can’t go three feet without seeing someone else you know; from a house that serves the Lord and praises him in the good times and bad; from a stained-class sanctuary where my every move was watched and critiqued, because I was inevitably the preachers’ daughter.

I’m from a part-time job where we ate more chicken and I could make a mean milkshake with my eyes closed; from a string of friendships that ended on bad terms; from a constant supply of silly boys that only had one thing in mind; from an attitude that I needed to break the status-quo.

I’m from a long list of bad decisions; from a constant struggle to overcome peer pressure; from a never-ending voice in my head that tells me that I’m not good enough; from the urge and ability to prove that voice wrong; from the constant frustration of trying to be the best that I can be; from the need of feeling wanted and appreciated.

I’m from knowing that I can do whatever I set my mind too, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.