Damaris the CEO

Going home with tan lines, sore legs, and lots of amazing memories. Mérida owes us NOTHING.🇲🇽🫶🏾

The people, the city, the culture, the food, the weather, everything… top tier.👌🏾We’ll definitely be back.💚🤍❤️

Thank you 30’s!🙏🏾 Hello 40’s! 🎉💖💰🥰 I’m entering my 40’s with extreme gratitude for the lessons and blessings over the years.

I’m thankful for everyone who has loved me through every version of me cause lord knows I can be a mess. 🥲

It’s only by the grace of God that I’ve made it this far and I look forward to what’s next.💖

I’m outside tonight so brb…

🙌🏾 PRAISE REPORT 🙌🏾 Yesterday, after 3 long years, received his kidney!!! He’s officially on his road to recovery for the next 6 months. Thank you God and everyone that showed up to our prayer meetings every week and sent messages of encouragement. I’m so thankful!!!!

If you’d like to donate towards Bradley’s needs and expenses while he recovers, you’ll find the donation link in my bio.

Without registered donors, Bradley would still be waiting for a kidney. I still have 2 friends in need of a kidney so I will continue the donor process for them.

Consider being a donor you could literally save a life. 💖

To my dad: I went through most of my life wondering what my life would be like if you were present. I secretly wished for a “normal” childhood where you didn’t have mental health issues, were an active parent, and loving husband to my mom. I secretly wished you never returned to your beloved Panama where you were allegedly murdered.

Over the recent holidays, I had the privilege of sitting in your mother’s home that she left behind, flipping through stacks of photo albums searching for photos that would help me paint a picture of the kind of life you lived.

I was surrounded by your brothers (and theirs wives), nieces, nephews, and the daughter you never met (you’re the same sign btw). I’m sure you were happy to see us all together and under the same roof.

I can’t imagine what experiences led to your challenges. I have never faulted you for your struggles and I know more now than ever the challenges we face as Black (Latinx) folks.

Even though my upbringing wasn’t “normal” just know that it was filled with love. My mom did a great job of reminding me of how much you loved me and looked forward to fatherhood. Even though you weren’t always present, I cherish the few memories I can recall- your thick accent saying my name, you making tostones in our kitchen for breakfast, and our date at Sizzler’s. I also appreciate the stories people have shared with me about you and the gaze at few photos I’ve collected over the years. You were so handsome and had your own sense of style that I admired.

This grief has taken a lifetime to process and I’ve learned some hard lessons trying to cope with the fact that I was robbed of my father-daughter experience. I like to think you’d be a protective parent that I could tell anything to. You would have kept the abusers and predators at bay and would’ve been here to “give me away” at my wedding.

I can’t rewrite history but I can choose to celebrate your life by being a daughter you’d proud of and keeping your memory alive by loving myself as an extension of you. And that’s what I’ll continue to do.

Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you…

Your Babygirl,

Damaris

Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister!!!💖🥳🎈🎂🎁
I’m not sure how I survived all these years without knowing you but I’m so grateful you came into my life when you did. 🥰 You’re the big sister I always wanted and needed even as a grown woman. You’re confident, honest, kind, considerate, compassionate, and courageous. I often think about what my life would have been like had I met you sooner. Then I just thank God that I am able to finally be close to you now and celebrate our sisterhood. I love you and I hope you have the birthday you deserve- full of love, happiness, and lots of dancing. 💃🏾🥰

I’m saying NO all November and yes to everything that serves me. Monday at we’re kicking off . This challenge was inspired by my personal challenges that I faced in my life and business. This season is all about releasing the fear, guilt, and shame that comes with surviving and embracing the love, joy, faith, and determination that keeps us thriving.

To join me, click the link in our bio. If not, enjoy the view. 😘

📸The “best parts” of our wedding day…

🖤 To honor of my ancestors, I carried my late grandmother Ruby’s ring in my pocket. With it, a handkerchief with one of my favorite Bible verse on it that my mom gifted me before the ceremony, honoring my inner church girl. This was also my “something new”.

📝Side Note: I intentionally choose repurposed items over new ones cause by reusing what already exists, we help reduce waste, conserve resources, and lessen the demand for constant production, which makes a real difference for the environment. Repurposed choices also support my favorite thrift shops where I found the shirt and never worn wedding heals 😍 and Black owned businesses like (my beautiful wedding beaded bracelets). I choose to strengthen communities rather than feed into fast consumerism. It’s a creative and resourceful way to live and honors what already exists instead of always chasing something new.😉

🖤 We married at the local courthouse of my hometown Oxnard, CA. I was surrounded by my loved ones…

💐My beautiful mother .gandy.5 and my Bonus Dad, My Oxnard OG’s and Ray, and her adorable daughter, , and .shalaine some of my closest friends (also the creator of my beautiful bouquet and P’s boutonnière), and Mama Sandra, , and TT’s babies Sunset (my official flower girl) & 10. We even ran into for added nostalgia 😆

🙏🏾Our wedding was last minute and you still sat in traffic, took off work, and rearranged your schedules just to be there and celebrate with us and we love you for it!🫶🏽

🤍 In honor my Panamanian roots, and our love for good food, we had our reception at and kept the party going at “Mama’s House”.

🖤 These photos don’t even begin to capture the love that was felt and the time that was had. We’re just grateful for the opportunity to share our love with people that love us and that now includes you.🖤🏳️‍🌈

#12262024 2026

You’re THAT woman. You’re THAT girl. I see you. I am you. The world needs our light, our perspective, our story. It’s time to shine, Sis. Let’s do this.

This helps balance all of your systems to help get yourself together. You don't have to suffer with anxiety, stress, or insomnia. You are able to handle life. You just need a lil help. Prioritize your Peace #wellness #mentalhealth #Insomnia #anxiety #adhd #healing #balance #breakups #relationships #family #work #workouts #womanhood #menshealth #mentalillness #stress #school #focus #fyp #explore #service #socialwork #calm #peace

If you're a Black person please follow Recycling Black Dollars and attend one of their community briefings. It was super informative. There are a lot of resources out there for the community. Seek them out and share them.