When I was 17 years old, I got pregnant with my daughter, who is now 3½. Her father and I had broken up, and were no longer together. That was really hard on me. Extremely hard. I didn't want to go about bringing a kid into this world by myself, but I had to be strong, not only for me but for her.

When I was 18 I finally had her. I was so excited and happy. It's hard to explain, but moms know what I am talking about: I knew what true love was at that moment. I actually knew what it meant.

I, for so long, hated her father for leaving me and not being there us in the beginning. I didn't want him in her life or mine. After a while I grew up. I realized she does need him regardless whether he is going to be around every day or not.

I saw that he was trying to change and be there for her. He moved to D.C. to be closer to us, and went into the army, which is now something he loves. They have an amazing relationship, and it makes me so happy to see her face light up when he is around or when she talks to him.

This experience changed me. I thought I would always hate him for having hurt me, and would never want to be around him ever again. But I realized it wasn't about me anymore: It was about my daughter, who meant more than that.

I learned from all this that time heals everything, regardless of how long it takes. He wasn't there for about the first year of her life, and now he is. You can't always hold a grudge; life is to short for all that.

When you are having problems with people, or when they hurt you, know that you won't always hate them or feel bad toward them. Eventually you will grow to like them or at least be able to tolerate them again.

I would tell other moms like me not to lose their patience. Take the time to think about everything clearly. Look at the big picture, not what you think is in front of your face.

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