Meet V Reyes, Fighter, Survivor, Singer, Songwriter....Mother.

“If you’re looking for a sinner, here I am. If you’re looking for a beginner, here I am. If you’re looking for a someone who needs a second chance, here I am. If you’re looking for a fighter, here I am, If you’re looking for a survivor, here I am. If you’re looking for a someone who tries as hard as she can, here I am!” -V Reyes “Here I Am”

Yvonne and her son, Josiah

We, as mothers, have a story. More of a story than just our motherhood. Our stories consist of more than just the moments we are able to stand up and share on the Expressing Motherhood stage. We have moments that string together to write the sheet music of our lives on the path that we stand. At any moment, we can certainly stop and look behind us to see those moments clearly… moments that have changed us, molded us, carried us, taught us and helped define who we are.

Yvonne Reyes has a story, and in a way, I feel it’s just beginning.

Yvonne, or “V”, as she is called, is originally from Denver, Colorado. She now lives in Southern California where, as a single mother, works full time in an office to support her and her son, Josiah. V is a Christian artist who writes all of her own music. However, it’s not typical Christian Inspirational, as you immediately hear in the lyrics of her songs.

I met her a few years ago in the parking lot of our children’s school. What you first notice about V is her hair. Her stunning, gorgeous hair is almost filled with as much personality as she is. But, within seconds of talking with V, her hair takes a backseat to her grace, humility and presence.

In her “free time,” which we all know is an oxymoron for most mothers, V writes, plays and performs original music.

All her own.

Recently, while passing each other at school drop off, V handed me her sophomore album, Show Me Love. I put it in the CD player in the van and anxiously awaited the music to start. I listened to the title track and I couldn’t move.

Second album, Show Me Love

You need not be a Christian to understand exactly what V presents in her music.
It’s honesty, humility and presence. It’s her truth.

With tears falling down my face, I immediately knew there was more to this woman than meets the eye. I couldn’t believe the sound of her voice….if you ever meet V, she’s a small woman…with a huge soulful, Nikka Costa type feel. But, it’s all her own. She sounds new…fresh and honest.

She graciously sat down with me to let me ask her more.

V left home at 13 years old. Her childhood contains stories and situations that I often think belong only in the movies or the news, including terrible experiences with foster care, drugs, alcohol and sexual abuse. She almost…almost…gave her son up for adoption, but at the last minute, knew she could not do it. After a brief fight, the adoption was able to be stopped and her son, Josiah, has helped her take “her eyes of off myself,” as heard in the song titled in his name, on her second album.

I had to sit with her, because once I knew some of her history, I needed to understand how anyone comes out on the other side of this praising God. She is a woman with a story. A story of fight, redemption and survival.

V has already stood on the stages inside the Honda Center and Madison Square Garden. She is a worship leader at PIHOP…. Pasadena International House Of Prayer…She has released two albums, performs in concerts, works full time and is a single mother, the job in which she is most proud.

Her ambition absolutely floors me.

I’m going to put it down in writing here, that I think a lot of people will know V Reyes soon.

“I have been broken, but not destroyed.
I pick up the pieces
There is a reason
I have been broken down to the core
My pride was no more
So I can be stronger than before.”

-V Reyes from “Broken” on her debut album Higher calling