Home » Team » Madelynn Reyes
 ORR HS Program Director“You are going to be pregnant before you turn 15!” I was 13 when my father told me that. I don’t think he really understood how much power those 10 words held. I remember standing there thinking about how wrong he was and how my own father didn’t even know me. I was hurt, angry and determined to prove him wrong.
I was 16 when I met him-the man I was going to marry. He was tall, gorgeous, funny and did I mention gorgeous? I knew when I saw him and I had to get to know him. I became good friends with his cousins Seseli and Maritza (they’re twins). I told them I thought he was cute and that was it…they wanted us to get married too!
So, I found out his name- Donny. Not Donald, or Don just Donny and I thought that was the nicest name in the world (it really isn’t he just made it nice). We became JUST friends and through this I realized that this young man named Donny shared many of my interests, values and ultimately dreams. We BOTH even made a commitment at 16 to remain abstinent till marriage. This guy was serious….I REALLY wanted to date him.
Three years after we met (I was 19, he was 20) we dated and it was great, there was just one thing in the way- US! Donny left to join a group of youth in Puerto Rico who were doing great things and he felt it best we broke up. We really were a distraction to each other. It wasn’t until then I realized my dream of going to college. So at the age of 21 I left to Indiana to pursue my dream of living on campus and going to college full time.
My sophomore year ( I was 22 he was 23) Donny told me he loved me and wanted no one else. He said he had a lot to get together but he let me know he was on a mission to make me his wife. I thought “WHAT IN THE WORLD?” I couldn’t believe he was saying all this. But I just sat back and I watched as he became the man I needed considering he was always the man I wanted.
My junior year of school (I was 23 he was 24) Donny got his things in order and on May 6th 2004 he asked my parents for their blessing to DATE me (yes people, to date me!). He knew I honored my parents and family so he made it a priority to make them a part of our journey. We dated for one year and on May 4th 2005 Donny asked my parents for their blessing in marriage, two days later we were engaged to be married. During our engagement I saw our relationship grow in such a beautiful way.
On July 2, 2006 I married the man of my dreams Donny Reyes and that night we shared something so intimate…its called SEX, you may have heard of it. It was our first time EVER and we loved it.
Since our wedding Donny has made me the happiest woman. We have an amazing, not perfect, but amazing marriage. We strive to be the best we can be for one another and our love for each other so deep and selfless I truly cannot find words to fully describe it.
And remember how my dad said I would be pregnant by 16? Well, obviously that didn’t happen. You know I realize that people have as much power as we give them. I know there are a lot of us who have been hurt by the words of those we love but we can’t let their words determine our lives. Had I let my father get in my way I would have lost my dreams and a life of happiness. I did not let his words take hold of my life….I took hold of my life. I want to encourage you to move forward and don’t look behind…
Be determined to prove everyone wrong!
(773) 534-6500 ext. 46527
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