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Courtesy of Winnie Thompson
- Winnie Thompson became a mother at 17 after an unexpected pregnancy at 16.
- She shared every moment with her son, including running a business together.
- With her son now attending college out of state, she is experiencing a significant life change.
This narrative is based on an interview with Winnie Thompson, a 35-year-old entrepreneur from Atlanta. The content has been edited for brevity and clarity.
I was raised by a single mother as the youngest of three children.
I found out I was pregnant when I was just 16 years old, giving birth to my son shortly after turning 17. Although becoming pregnant as a teenager wasn’t part of my plan, it became my reality, leading me to embrace single motherhood.
Now that he’s off to college, I’m faced with the challenge of redefining my own life. This transition allows me to revisit interests I had set aside during his upbringing while taking on the responsibilities of being his mother.
The Support from My Mother During Pregnancy
The dynamics in our household were complex; during the economic downturn in 2008, many faced job losses—including my mom. We experienced homelessness for some time and relied on friends for shelter while caring for an infant. There were periods we stayed in extended-stay hotels as well.
A Journey Through Life Together: Highs and Lows
< span>This apartment felt like home; we painted it together and built connections within our community who supported us through tough times until disaster struck—a tornado devastated our complex forcing us to relocate two miles away where we found another place that welcomed us back into stability.
< p >< span > It was here that we embarked on an entrepreneurial journey together by launching < span > Books & Bros < span > , which promotes African American literature through subscription boxes tailored specifically for boys.
< span > Meeting My Future Husband In 2018
< p >< span > When Marwin entered into my life as someone interested romantically speaking; it was essential he earned trust from both myself & especially from him since he had just turned fourteen then! He stepped up wholeheartedly supporting both aspects—me personally & also helping guide him along his path too!
< p >< s pan > By high school graduation time came around—I had transitioned fully into entrepreneurship! We relocated down south whereupon applying colleges began taking precedence over everything else—this marked newfound independence emerging within each other’s lives!
< p >< s pan > For him—it meant exploring various majors whilst applying diligently towards schools desired most! For myself—it opened doors previously closed due solely being responsible primarily toward raising another human being instead pursuing personal aspirations.
< Span > Our First Separation: A New Chapter Begins
< p >< s pan > As graduation approached—Marwin took initiative assisting not only managing business operations but also attending football games alongside providing emotional support preparing ourselves mentally knowing soon enough there’d be another little one joining family unit (15 years later).When graduation day arrived—the anticipation built up among friends teasingly suggesting tears would flow freely given how much history existed between us—but surprisingly none fell instead pure pride radiated throughout entire ceremony witnessing accomplishments unfold before eyes!
His acceptance letter arrived announcing enrollment plans set forth American University located Washington D.C.—an exhilarating milestone indeed marking transition period ahead filled excitement yet bittersweet realization dawned upon understanding distance separating lives henceforth forever changing dynamics established thus far.
Everything done thus far—from choices made regarding residences down career paths taken—all intertwined directly linked back toward nurturing relationship fostered between parent-child duo throughout years spent growing side-by-side!
I’m Now Embracing Self-Discovery At Age Thirty-Five
I find myself rediscovering dreams long forgotten since age fifteen—that’s how far back memories stretch recalling aspirations once held dear!
Navigating adulthood without responsibilities tied anyone else feels foreign territory entirely unfamiliar ground explored anew! Passionate about dance—I enrolled recently tapping classes hoping reignite joy lost amidst chaos surrounding motherhood duties undertaken previously!
No longer confined merely playing background roles anymore—instead actively growing businesses sharing stories publicly honoring womanhood never fully realized prior becoming parent first time around!
The emotional toll stemming absence felt deeply resonates whenever passing by empty room left behind—it stirs feelings akin knots forming stomach area reminding constantly adjustments required adapting new normalcy moving forward ahead!
Read more about this story originally published by Business Insider
< p >< s pan > As graduation approached—Marwin took initiative assisting not only managing business operations but also attending football games alongside providing emotional support preparing ourselves mentally knowing soon enough there’d be another little one joining family unit (15 years later).
When graduation day arrived—the anticipation built up among friends teasingly suggesting tears would flow freely given how much history existed between us—but surprisingly none fell instead pure pride radiated throughout entire ceremony witnessing accomplishments unfold before eyes!
His acceptance letter arrived announcing enrollment plans set forth American University located Washington D.C.—an exhilarating milestone indeed marking transition period ahead filled excitement yet bittersweet realization dawned upon understanding distance separating lives henceforth forever changing dynamics established thus far.
Everything done thus far—from choices made regarding residences down career paths taken—all intertwined directly linked back toward nurturing relationship fostered between parent-child duo throughout years spent growing side-by-side!
I’m Now Embracing Self-Discovery At Age Thirty-Five
I find myself rediscovering dreams long forgotten since age fifteen—that’s how far back memories stretch recalling aspirations once held dear!
Navigating adulthood without responsibilities tied anyone else feels foreign territory entirely unfamiliar ground explored anew! Passionate about dance—I enrolled recently tapping classes hoping reignite joy lost amidst chaos surrounding motherhood duties undertaken previously!
No longer confined merely playing background roles anymore—instead actively growing businesses sharing stories publicly honoring womanhood never fully realized prior becoming parent first time around!
The emotional toll stemming absence felt deeply resonates whenever passing by empty room left behind—it stirs feelings akin knots forming stomach area reminding constantly adjustments required adapting new normalcy moving forward ahead!
