She found unconditional love through her unplanned pregnancy. Her son was her motivation as she balanced motherhood, college and a career as a single mom.

Growing up in a broken and dysfunctional home, Danielle sought love and attention elsewhere. Substance abuse was a challenge for her father, which resulted in a lot of hurt, heartache and feelings of not being loved. 

Danielle didn’t have a good paternal role model and over time found herself in unhealthy romantic relationships. Shortly after she turned 21, she found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy. Danielle was single at that time, and her baby’s father didn’t believe it was his baby. She felt very alone but knew her baby had a purpose. She knew her pregnancy happened to her for a reason.

Danielle chose life for her son during her unplanned pregnancy.

Despite being alone in her pregnancy, Danielle chose life and knew it was the right choice due to her pro-life values as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Because of my faith and my knowledge of God, I’m going to own the consequence of my decision … It was never an option to have an abortion,” Danielle says.

Seeing her baby moving on the ultrasound screen only solidified her decision to choose life.

A photo of Danielle’s ultrasound.

“Seeing my baby was the coolest feeling because I wasn’t even showing yet. I hadn’t felt the baby move at all. But during the ultrasound, I saw this little baby moving, and it was the coolest thing because I still couldn’t feel it. It was so little,” Danielle says.

MOTHERHOOD IS SELFLESSNESS

Danielle with her son.

Danielle’s unplanned pregnancy did not stop her from accomplishing her goals. She didn’t want her son to grow up in a poor and broken home like she did, so she worked hard to give her son the best life he could have.

“The reason why I know without a doubt that my baby was meant to be is because he changed my life,” Danielle says. “From the day I found out I was pregnant, I knew my life was no longer mine because I was carrying another human. I had to start living my life for me and for him, so I felt like I had to stop making bad choices because I wanted to give him the very best life that I possibly could.” 

For almost three years, Danielle balanced motherhood, school and a career. She moved back home with her family so she could work as a nurse’s assistant while attending school. 

Danielle struggled to pay bills, and her credit cards were maxed out. One time she even bought about $2 of gas using only coins just to get to school and back. Her days were long as she worked 12-hour shifts during the day and attended nursing prerequisite classes at night. But she knew all of her hard work would be worth it for her son.

“I feel like I got hurt from a lot of relationships because I (my body) was never respected. I also didn’t demand that respect because I didn’t have self-worth, and I didn’t know what true love looked like because of my childhood. I was finally so happy to have my son because I knew he loved me no matter what,” Danielle says.

As she persevered and worked to provide for her family, Danielle found unconditional love in her relationship with her son and with her relationship with God.

“Becoming a mother and that instant love I have for him gives me a glimpse of the love that my Heavenly Father has for me. Just that alone makes motherhood all worth it, not to mention all the joy that my son gives me. You think you are teaching them, but they teach you so much more. Every sacrifice is worth it,” Danielle says. 

GOD’S REDEMPTIVE POWER

Danielle’s son with her husband.

Danielle started dating her husband when she was 24 years old. He was the first guy she ever dated who respected her and showed her what true love looks like. He put God first, then her, and then himself — something she never experienced or thought she would ever have in a man. He also embraced the fact that she had a son.

“When he first met my son, my son hugged him and I was able to capture a picture of that, so I have that picture when they first met. It’s really sweet,” Danielle says.

Danielle with her husband and their children.

Danielle and her husband saw each other almost every day for two months and fell in love before they even had their first kiss. They got engaged during their third month of dating and were married three months later. They saved everything physical (besides kissing) until they were married. They now have five kids together, including her son.

“I know the best way to teach is by example, and even though I got pregnant before marriage, I can tell my kids that I fell in love with their dad before we even kissed. God can make our weaknesses our strengths,” Danielle says.

Looking back, Danielle can see how motherhood made her faith stronger. She has received God’s forgiveness, love and mercy in her life. God has blessed her abundantly and redeemed her story, even though she made mistakes.

“The life that I’m living right now is seriously a dream come true. Even in my dreams, I never would have pictured the life that I’m living to have four more beautiful kids and a husband that is my very best friend and I am his,” Danielle says. “I grew up in a home with lots of yelling and we were very poor, but now I have a husband who is so good to me. He has never even raised his voice at me, and we don’t have to worry about money. God has richly blessed us, and we want Him to always know how grateful we are. So we give back as much as we can and are very generous with our time and service, as well as money.”

HOPE & FAITH

Danielle with her son.

Danielle’s life completely changed because of her son. His presence in her life motivated her to be the best mom and role model she could be.

Her son recently turned 16 and gave her a handwritten card, thanking her for giving him life and for not choosing abortion.

Danielle says, “When children are younger, they don’t understand abortion. But now that my son is older, he realized that a lot of people choose abortion when they get pregnant before marriage and that I could have chosen that too. Ever since he had that realization, he is very grateful I chose him, that I chose life.”

Facing an unplanned pregnancy showed Danielle how important it is to reach out for help. Support can be found in unexpected places. You never know who would be willing to help during a crisis.

“A lot of times, we want to know the whole picture. We want to know the whole path but I believe that God gives us just enough to make the next right step, the next right move,” Danielle says. “When facing an unplanned pregnancy, even though you don’t want to disappoint loved ones or you don’t know about your finances, you don’t know where you’ll live, you don’t know about your health … just make the next right move. That move is to choose life for your baby. Just take it one day at a time, and then it’s not so overwhelming. Seek Him and you will see the hand of God working in your life to guide you and direct you as you put your trust in Him.”

The best day of Danielle’s life — her wedding day!

Even though we do not know how our lives will unfold, Danielle wants to encourage others to hope for a brighter future and to have faith in God — that He is in the details of our lives and He will always bless us when we choose Him first.

Danielle says, “The adversary wants to destroy life and destroy families so he gets in our heads to make us feel shame and defeat, and make us think abortion is what’s best. Don’t listen to him. If I didn’t choose my son, then I wouldn’t have the miracle life I have now. I wouldn’t have this beautiful story to share that I know has given hope to other girls in the same situation. We need to share our stories and pray that they touch someone to give them hope so their life can be changed for the better through their unplanned pregnancy like mine did. There is always hope because of Jesus, and we need to forever fight for these sweet babies who will bless our lives more than we could ever imagine.”