A Leap of Faith: My Journey to Canada and Building a Family

First month of 2013, I took one of the biggest risks of my life. With the help of my relatives, Tito Marlon and Tita Elsa Antonio, I left everything familiar behind and came to Canada as a temporary worker. It was a leap into the unknown, filled with excitement but also deep uncertainty. There were no guarantees. Every day, I lived with the knowledge that I might not become a permanent resident and that this new life could slip away as quickly as it began. Those early days were tough.

Navigating a new country, learning its systems, and striving to prove myself—all while carrying the weight of uncertainty—took a toll. But I kept pushing forward, fueled by the belief that I could build something better here, even if the odds weren’t in my favor.

Fast forward to today, and I’m now a proud Canadian citizen. I have my own family, a home filled with love and laughter, and the opportunities I once dreamed of. But it wasn’t just about building a life for myself—it became about creating a future for my children. When I found out I was pregnant, something shifted in me. I realized that what I wanted most wasn’t just professional success or stability; it was time.

Time to be present for my kids, to watch them grow, to witness their first steps, their first words, and every milestone along the way. I wanted to give them what I had worked so hard for—security, but also a parent who was truly there. And so, I made a decision. I embraced my role not just as a professional, but as a mother who is fully present for her family. This is the life I had imagined when I first took that step into the unknown.

I am grateful every day for the challenges, the risks, and the rewards that have come with it.