Call me Desirée. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—I decided to start a blog. And, then I changed it…and changed it again. With no particular theme or linear direction, I became the girl, askewed.
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. For expediency, we will forego the childhood stories and jump immediately into semi-adulthood. My college education began at Stephen F. Austin in northeast Texas. However, and unfortunately, my new found freedoms in college were way more exciting than going to class and studying. So, this newly traveled road toward adulthood turned into a dead end. A little broken by the experience, I returned to Houston and began a series of temporary jobs, hoping to find my calling. I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do career-wise.
In 1993, I got married. Shortly after our nuptials, I did what I never thought I’d do, leave Texas. I moved to Miami, Florida and was eventually employed at a famous hotel on Miami Beach, the Fontainebleau—artfully designed and rich in history. Although I started in public relations, it wasn’t long before I was promoted to Marketing Manager. My responsibilities primarily included writing copy and creating in-house ads. This sparked the creative side of me that lay dormant for many years. I knew I had finally found my calling.
A few years later, I decided to change careers to being a full-time, stay-at-home mom when my son was born in July of 1999. It was also around this time that I felt the Miami sparkle was not the same from my new point of view. A change of scenery was definitely in order. So, it was off to San Diego, California where son number two soon followed in 2001. San Diego was absolutely fantastic. I was always outside and loved my daily trips to the many parks, museums, beaches, and naturally, the San Diego Zoo. There were also regular visits to Mexico—Puerto Nuevo for margaritas and grilled lobster. But as life would have it, a new opportunity brought me back to Florida in 2003. I found myself in the Tampa Bay area this time, and this is where child number three, my beautiful baby girl, was born.
Throughout the years, my creative personality cried for attention. I knew I wanted to write and made several attempts to do so. However, I really didn’t possess the knowledge or experience I needed to pursue a career in writing. It seems as though fate brought me to Orlando in August of 2009.
Having a new found respect for higher education, I felt encouraged to give college another try. I enrolled immediately and hit the books. There’s no other way to say it, but I kicked ass the second time around. By August 2012, I made my way across that stage to accept my Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Writing from the University of Central Florida. And I, unlike the vast majority of my student peers, had the fabulous honor of having my three children cheering for me—not to mention some pretty proud parents. I swear I heard my dad say, “It’s about damn time!” College introduced me to incredible pieces of literature I never knew existed, but more importantly, it helped hone my writing skills (which really is a life-long process). I also realized through my experience, I genuinely enjoy the editing process. Apparently, this is something my sister seemed to know about me all along; I really like correcting people!
Things have changed as the years have flown by. I was divorced after 21 years of marriage in 2014 and became a single mom. Since that time, I have found the love of my life in a man named Michael. We love our life here in Orlando and spend an obscene amount of time together—and cherish every moment. We both work from home and can be found in our spare time reading by the pool, reading at the beach, reading on the couch—or in any number of bookstores within a two-hour radius.
It’s taken quite a number of years, but I’m content with my life and love that I can share it with you through my words.
Desirée 