Back in 2022 I learned of my son’s autism diagnosis. Upon receiving the diagnosis, I began to think where did I go wrong. I had a healthy pregnancy, I went full term, and I ate pretty healthy (for the most part). I started a guilt trip and was blaming myself for this diagnosis. Many nights I cried about his unknown future and what that would look like for our family. Even though I had unwavering support from my family and friend I still felt like they did not understand my tears.  My tears were mixed with different emotions. Guilt, frustration, denial, hurt, confusion, and so many more. One day my best friend introduced me to a wonderful lady named Kelli (my angel is what I called her). She had a son that was 26 and on the spectrum. The first time I talked to her, we talked for 2 ½ hours. I cried, we laughed, and then I begin to have hope. She stood by my side during the beginning stages of my journey. I begin to look at her kind of like a mentor. I would could call her about everything. She told me about the many resources out there, the different therapies they experienced (she even call the different therapy centers with me), what school would look like for him (even though things have probably changed since her son was in school). She gave me the blueprint of her journey unselfishly. It has always been in my heart to pay it forward to the next mom who starts this journey blindly, not knowing where to start or the resources to look for. One day I ask God to give me purpose behind this diagnosis. Not too long after, he laid MAAM, Mothers and Autism Meetup, on my heart. Then a year later the organization was founded.