Some people just have that glow. You know the kind—the kind of person who walks in and instantly brings smiles, laughter, and warmth, like fresh sunshine on your skin after a cloudy day. Erika is one of those people. Joy practically radiates from her. She’s nurturing, playful, deeply grounded—and she was always meant to be a mom.
At work, Erika leads with just as much heart and passion. As the Creative Director of our R&D department, she doesn’t just bring ideas to life—she brings soul to them. She dreams boldly, listens deeply, and somehow makes even the wildest brainstorm feel like home. She’s the kind of leader who makes you believe that magic and strategy can coexist—and that creativity, when guided by love, can truly change everything.
And now, I think I finally understand where that glow comes from.
It comes from love—the kind that deepens you, changes you, and makes you softer and stronger all at once. It started when Erika met Marcelino and his daughter, Layla. What began as a simple spark turned into something heart-expanding… not just falling in love with a man, but with his little girl, too.
This is Erika’s story. About choosing love. About becoming a stepmom. And about discovering she was already a mother long before her baby bump ever started to show.
🌸 “I Was Never Going to Be a Stepmom…”
Erika never pictured herself in this role. In fact, she was sure she didn’t want it.
“My #1 rule while dating was no men with kids. I thought I’d be too selfish, too unprepared, and honestly—I wanted all the attention for myself,” she admits. “And I didn’t want the baggage that might come with it.”
But life had other plans. The second Erika met Marcelino, everything shifted.
“Seeing him as a dad just made me want to experience family with him. And when I met his daughter, Layla? She was the cherry on top. From the beginning, I felt what a blessing she would be in my life.”
What started as resistance turned into revelation. Erika began growing in ways she never expected—learning patience, emotional maturity, and how to show up for someone who didn’t have to love her back.
“Being Layla’s stepmom stretched me and softened me. It made me better. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
🛏️ The Bedtime Moment That Changed Everything
There’s one moment Erika says she’ll hold in her heart forever. It happened during bedtime—when the lights are low, and everything gets a little quieter and a lot more honest.
“Layla looked up at me and said, ‘Can we snuggle?’ I gently placed my hand on her arm, but she looked at me and said, ‘No, Erika—you have to hold me tighter and cuddle like this, because I love you so much.’”
Tears. Heart melted. Forever changed.
“It was the purest, most beautiful moment. One I’ll carry with me always. It reminded me how powerful these quiet, everyday moments can be.”
💛 Loving Without Guarantees
Loving a child who isn’t biologically yours comes with a certain kind of vulnerability. Erika describes it as loving with your whole heart… while knowing they may not love you back in the same way.
“They already have their parents to love. And that’s okay. But at the time, it hit especially hard because I truly believed I might never have children of my own.”
“But children have this incredible capacity for pure, boundless love. Over time, they begin to show you a love that’s uniquely theirs, and uniquely meant for you.”
“Layla’s love is hers. It’s unique, and it’s just for me. That’s what makes it so special.”
🌿 Holding Space, Not Replacing
One of Erika’s greatest strengths as a stepmom is her deep respect for Layla’s relationship with her biological mother. She never tries to compete. She only aims to add.
“Layla knows exactly who her mom is. She loves her so deeply, and that will never change. Nor should it.”
In their home, they speak often of her mom’s love, creating space where Layla feels supported from all sides. Not torn between two homes—but uplifted by both.
“We tell Layla I’m her bonus mom because at the end of the day, love isn’t about replacing anyone. It’s about adding to the circle of people who are rooting for her, who adore her, and who are here to help her grow.”
🎤 Sabrina Compliments & Bestie Bonds
Layla’s love language? Words of affirmation, served with a splash of pop culture.
“One day she told me I looked like Sabrina Carpenter. Let’s be real—I don’t! But Sabrina is her everything right now, so it was the ultimate compliment.”
More than anything, Layla makes sure Erika knows she’s not just a parent figure—she’s a bestie. And honestly? What’s better than raising a tiny hype queen? I’ll wait.
🧁 Redefining Family
Before Erika met Marcelino, she thought her vision of family might never come true. She had quietly come to terms with the idea that motherhood might not be in the cards. But through Layla, she discovered something bigger.
“Maybe I wasn’t meant to become a mom in the way I imagined. But God had another plan. He gave me the opportunity to mother in a way I didn’t expect.”
As someone who grew up as a stepdaughter herself, Erika knew the importance of making Layla feel fully loved, fully chosen.
“I didn’t want to just blend into her life—I wanted to help create a family where love was shared freely and fully. I promised myself I’d love her like my own.”
And now? That family is growing again. Another unexpected blessing from God… Erika is 34 weeks pregnant—with another baby girl on the way.
“The most beautiful part? Layla is so excited to be a big sister. Watching her talk to my belly, hug it, and make plans with her baby sister (who she insists is named Cinderella) fills my heart in a way I can’t even describe. The love she already has & the joy she shares, makes me realize that God never fails us. If we trust in Him, even in the unknown, His plans are grander than we could have ever imagined.”
🦸♀️ Bonus Mom Superpower
When it comes to stepmomming like a pro, Erika’s got a few tricks up her sleeve.
“I can make any boring task into something fun. MISDIRECTION is my love language. Also, I make up songs on the spot about literally anything—her dad and I both do it!”
From chore jingles to spontaneous sing-alongs, she makes everyday life feel magical. Which, let’s be honest, is a true superpower in any household. It’s giving Mary Poppins – except the whole nanny thing.
👩👧👧 She Was Always Meant to Be a Mom
If love had a scent, Erika’s would be sunshine after rain and vanilla cupcakes fresh out the oven in a bottle. She’s that kind of soul. The soft place to land. The steady in the chaos. The joy in the small things.
Erika didn’t just step into a role. She rewrote it with tenderness, laughter, and fierce devotion. Layla didn’t get a replacement—she got a forever friend. A bonus mom with glitter in her soul and lullabies on her sleeves.
And now, with a new baby girl growing beneath her heart, Erika’s story continues. One chapter at a time. One snuggle at a time. One impossibly good bedtime song at a time. Probably in her best Sabrina Carpenter impression.
Because she was always meant to be a mom. She just had to find her way home.
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