Jen's early years were marked by frequent moves and living with various family members including her stepfather Jerry and her mother.

• Jen was born in Louisiana and grew up in a small East Texas town before moving to Tyler, Texas.
• She lived in a crowded single-wide trailer with multiple family members, including her great-grandmother and stepfather Jerry.
• Despite an absent biological father for the first 20 years, Jen holds no resentment and praises him as an amazing man when they met later.

Jen recounts the criminal activities and violent behavior of her stepfather Jerry, which had a profound impact on her childhood.

• Jerry, her stepfather, opened a bar and committed a murder there out of jealousy, managing to evade jail with a high-profile attorney.
• Jen witnessed Jerry's violent tendencies, including shooting her dog and siphoning gas due to financial struggles.
• Jerry also engaged in illegal activities like cockfighting, which Jen was involuntarily exposed to.

Jen shares her experience with counseling, which unearthed repressed memories and helped her confront past traumas.

• Three years of counseling with EMDR therapy brought back suppressed memories, including being molested as a child.
• Jen struggled with the guilt of having unknowingly exposed her own children to the perpetrator.

Jen narrates the events leading to her escape from her abusive stepfather and the subsequent challenges of building a new life.

• A series of traumatic events, such as the murder of a man in front of her, her house burning down, and Jerry's erratic violent behavior, led to her mother's decision to leave him.
• Jen and her mother planned their escape aligning with Jerry's out-of-town trips, eventually moving to an apartment in Tyler, Texas.

Even after leaving Jerry, Jen and her mother continued to face threats and harassment, affecting their sense of security.

• Jerry stalked and harassed Jen and her mother, causing them to live in constant fear of his actions.
• Her mother's attempts to live a normal life were frequently interrupted by Jerry's terrifying presence and threats.

Jen describes the legal repercussions faced by Jerry for his crimes and the relief she felt upon his conviction.

• Jerry was eventually caught and sentenced to prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against Jen's mother.
• The peace of his conviction was short-lived as Jen's mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness shortly after.

Jen reflects on her journey to recovery, the impact of her mother's death, and finding happiness after a life of fear.

• Jen struggled with the aftermath of her mother's death, finding herself in relationships that mirrored the abuse she experienced with Jerry.
• Through therapy and self-awareness, Jen broke the cycle of abusive relationships and found happiness with Jason, a childhood friend.

Jen concludes with closing thoughts on the importance of overcoming past trauma and the possibility of finding happiness.

• Jen shares her belief in the power of changing one's narrative and the importance of not letting past trauma define one's future.
• She encourages others to believe that it's never too late to seek change and happiness.