My parents divorce may have shattered my childhood, but it has also taught me very valuable lessons. While I don’t have vivid memories of my childhood, I know most nights were like this: My mom and dad are constantly neck-to-neck, screaming and fighting. Tears. Loud crashes. Hitting. Occasionally, flashing red and blue lights lit up my bedroom. Then, when I was 12, they finally got divorced. After that I had a very strained relationship with my father, and he is not really a part of my life. My mom on the other hand is my best friend, she has supported me as a single mother every step of the way. I was launched into a cycle of hatred and sadness surrounding my life, constantly confused about which parent I loved more. You're supposed to love both parents equally, but I didn’t. I hated that my mom was always nagging me to do chores, but my dad didn’t. I hated that she wouldn't take me to the mall to get a whole new wardrobe, but my dad did. And what I really hated was that she – in my eyes – strict, and my dad wasn’t. Every day, it was something new, “Jaidyn are you eating healthy?” “Jaidyn, don't spend so much time on your phone.” Yet I never had to hear it from my dad – in fact, he was quiet. And when my mom tried to warn me that my dad would walk away from me and Jayvani (my sister), I never wanted to open my ears. The warning signs of his manipulation were all there, but because he let me do whatever I wanted, I ignored them all. When I came home crying because dad told me that he was moving away, and when I found out he wanted to sign away his rights as my parent, I knew I should have listened. Instead it was my mom that comforted me. She taught me to identify when someone is taking advantage of me. She talked to me and gave me advice, and she always was the one that told me she loved me. Never once did she discourage me to do something because she didn’t want the hassle of me doing it. She never made me feel unsafe and uncomfortable, like my dad did. Instead, through her determination and hardwork to raise 2 girls with no help – she taught me to be a strong and independent young woman, who follows her passions, and builds a community. Everyday my mom is my inspiration to push myself and take risks. The leader I am today is thanks to her. I'm someone who tried out for the school cheer team and didn't make it, but she always said “if you don’t succeed try again” and when I did try out the following year, I indeed succeeded. I ran for junior class president and lost. But I tried again and won. I’m someone who always wants to be surrounded by people who make me grow. Her efforts have subconsciously molded me into the person I am today. It's the small things that can make a big difference. In this case it was my mom and I going somewhere like the mall or a random restaurant and it seemed she knew at least 1 person. She would drag me into Whole Foods on a Sunday morning and find 2 different people that she knew there. The way that these people could instantly recognize her, and were excited to see my mom caught my eye. I didn't realize it then but those small instances created a lasting impression on me, and the older I got the more I grew to be a social person. I am someone who wants to meet as many new people as possible and make a positive impact on their lives. I know I have a bright future ahead, and I know I couldn't have done it without my moms constant love and support. Just because I grew up with a broken childhood, doesn't mean it has to ruin my life or me as a person. I took my trauma, and used it to become a better person. Growing up with anxiety and depression was one of the biggest battles I have ever faced, and even to this day I find myself wondering what could have been if I just had a "normal" childhood. I like to stop those thoughts, and take a moment to remember that these experiences I had, have just shaped me to be a stronger person. Growing up with divorced parents has sparked my ambition to one day become a lawyer and represent children who grew up just like me.