“This is my year. I’m in the last year of my thirties, and pregnant with my rainbow baby. I had three miscarriages before this. I’m in the LPN nursing program and work at Whataburger. I’m working at this music festival with my husband, Sonny, to make extra money. I get good sleep and try to keep my mind at peace. 

My mom had six kids. It was rough. I was abused throughout my life–that did something to me. I had my struggles: hanging with the wrong people and trying and selling drugs. My rock bottom was when I couldn’t deal with being with the person I had been with for so long. What was I doing? I’ve been abused my whole life, yet I was in a relationship with someone doing the same thing. 

I turned to Christ. I also forgave my mom–I thought a lot that happened to me was her fault, but now we’re at a good spot. My husband, Sonny, is the total opposite of what I left. He married me because I love people and I’m nurturing. I’m Aries and he’s Gemini. Air and fire. We balance each other out. 

I graduate in 2026. I pushed that back because Sonny and I had a lot going on. We were staying at an extended-stay motel and couldn’t save money because everything was going to pay for the motel. We managed and got through it. That first year was rocky, but our foundation got stronger.

I’m having fun working this festival because I’m a music fan. I used to want to sing and be a musician. Music and Looney Tunes cartoons were all I had when I was young–they were my escape. Cinderella was one of my favorites; I used to hope and wish that would happen to me. Now, I’ve become my own Cinderella.”

Shay

Sonny and Shay