If you were to ask Teresa, what is one thing she wants to be remembered for; it would be that she loves God, and she is excited about His handiwork in the lives of His people.  Before she was a wife, a mother or an author - she was a child of God.

Teresa grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a one bedroom apartment with her parents and four siblings.  Not only were their living arrangements challenging, but her family's lifestyle was dysfunctional.  Love was understood, but seldom expressed.  Her father often neglected his family responsibilities for gambling, alcohol and other women.  Her troubles intensify with a tumultuous relationship with mother for most of her childhood.  In spite of the difficulties, her parents instilled in her at an early age, an expectation of excellence.  Growing up in the midst of pain and strife, Teresa becomes aware that God is extending His loving hand towards her, and offers comforts through the ordeal.  She finds peace as she draws nigh unto Him.  Teresa confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at age 12, and committed to living a life pleasing to Him. 

As a product of the Chicago Public School system, Teresa excelled academically in elementary school, but by the time she enters high school, her passion for learning gradually diminishes as she becomes more distracted and discouraged by her impoverished living conditions, peer pressure and overwhelming struggles of growing up in an unstable home environment. 

As a young adult entering college, Teresa is liberated from her parents' strict rules, only to find herself bound by the freedom, she is unprepared for.  Her lack of restraint gives birth to lack of initiative causing her performance to fluctuate, and she goes from one college to another.  Lacking discretion, she not only suffers academically, but professionally, financially, socially, emotionally and spiritually, ultimately leaving her in a state of depression.      

By age 27, after many mistakes, poor choices and setbacks, Teresa comes to herself rededicate her life to Christ.  Her return to intimacy with God produces in her strength, resilience and wisdom that not only bless her, but others as well.  One of God's many blessings to Teresa came in the form of the love of her life and soul mate, Alexander.  The two were married in July 1993.  Teresa and Alexander have one daughter, Alexis, and one son, Trevor.

While attending DePaul University, in 1996, one of Teresa's professors told her that she possessed writing talent.  No one had ever told her this before, but at that moment, a seed was watered and took root - an epiphany that would set her future in motion.        

In 1999, Teresa and husband found themselves in one of the darkest moments of their lives when they discovered that their two-year-old daughter was facing a medical emergency.  It was during this dark moment that God shed light on her assignment that He entrusted to her.  After several years of planning, perseverance and endurance the assignment was birthed in 2009 - Return to Your First Love.