The Weather Doesn’t Help

Life is full of unexpected turns, and sometimes, we’re caught in situations where the weather—and life itself—just doesn’t seem to help. Tanisha’s story is a perfect example of that. I remember the first time she called Project Cuddle, scared and uncertain about her future. As a mother of two young children, facing an unplanned pregnancy, and with no one to turn to, she was overwhelmed. What she didn’t know then was that she had found a new family—a group of people who would walk alongside her through her toughest moments.

The First Call

It was Valentine’s Day in 2000, and my family was gathered for a small celebration. As we were preparing dessert, the hotline rang. We get a lot of calls, but something about this one felt urgent. The voice on the other end belonged to Tanisha, a young woman who had heard about us through the Ricki Lake Show. She was seven months pregnant, terrified, and desperate to escape her current situation.

Tanisha had been trying to manage everything on her own—raising two small children while dealing with an unplanned pregnancy—but things had reached a boiling point. Her mother had checked her voicemail without her knowing, overheard messages from our Rescue Family, and reacted with anger and betrayal. The moment Tanisha got home that evening, her life changed forever.

Kicked Out Into the Cold

I’ll never forget the panic in Tanisha’s voice as she told me what happened next. It had been snowing that night—the first snowfall of the season, which should have been a joyful event, especially for her two little ones, JaeTee and Anneka. After a day spent sledding at the park, Tanisha had bathed her kids and settled them in for bed, looking forward to a moment of peace. But instead, she walked into a nightmare.

Her parents had packed her bags. Three suitcases were sitting by the door. Her father’s voice was cold when he explained that she was no longer welcome in their home. They simply couldn’t deal with the fact that she was pregnant again. Tanisha was left in shock, standing in her pajamas, with her children in her arms, as her father opened the door and pushed them out into the freezing night. It’s hard to imagine that kind of rejection—from your own parents, no less. But there she was, stranded on the porch in the dark, with snow falling all around them.

A Desperate Plea for Help

When Tanisha called me from a payphone that night, she didn’t just need advice—she needed help. I could hear the panic in her voice. She had nowhere to go, no one to turn to, and she was standing in the middle of a snowstorm with two small children. It was late on the East Coast, but in California, we were just getting ready to start our Valentine’s celebration. As soon as I heard her story, everything else came to a halt. My family knew what this meant. We put our plans on hold and went into action.

Within the hour, I had volunteers organized and ready. A local Project Cuddle volunteer in Virginia was dispatched to meet Tanisha at the Circle K where she was waiting. She brought clothes, shoes, and food for Tanisha and the kids. Soon, they were safely tucked into a warm motel with breakfast arranged for the next morning. It wasn’t much, but it was a lifeline.

A New Beginning in California

The very next day, we arranged for Tanisha and her children to fly out to California. As soon as they landed, I knew we had to take care of her in a way her family never did. When I first met her, I saw a beautiful, resilient woman with the most radiant smile and big brown eyes that sparkled despite all she had been through. I hugged her tight, and I could feel the relief in her body as she realized she wasn’t alone anymore.

Her children, little JaeTee and Anneka, immediately felt at home too. They bonded with my own children, especially JaeTee, who went outside with Jonathan to swing on the old rope in our backyard. Watching them play together, I knew that Tanisha had found a safe place, at least for now.

Over the next few days, we worked to settle Tanisha into a shelter for mothers and their children. She had selected a family to care for her baby, and while the next few months would still be challenging, I could see a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She was no longer walking this road alone.

Setbacks Along the Way

As with any journey, there were bumps along the way. Just when things seemed to be getting better, we faced a serious issue at the shelter. One of the other women staying there stole the purse of the mother who had been helping Tanisha. This woman used the stolen credit cards to rack up charges all over town. When the authorities caught her, it added another layer of stress to Tanisha’s already overwhelming situation.

It was a betrayal of trust, something Tanisha had experienced too often in her life. But this time, she didn’t crumble. With the support of her adoptive family and our team at Project Cuddle, we found a solution. Tanisha and her children moved in with the adoptive family for the remainder of her pregnancy. It was a temporary setback, but it reinforced the importance of creating a safe space for women like Tanisha—something we were already working on through “The Cuddle House” project.

A New Life for Baby Brian

By April, Tanisha was ready to deliver. I remember getting the call while I was on an Amtrak train returning from a trip. Tanisha was in labor, and I knew this birth would be special. It wasn’t just any birth—it was the 200th baby saved by Project Cuddle. When I arrived at the hospital, Angel, one of our team members, was already there, excited to assist Tanisha through the delivery. We both stood by her side as she brought a beautiful baby boy, Brian, into the world.

What I’ll never forget is Tanisha’s selflessness in that moment. After giving birth, she turned to us and made a request: she wanted the new mother to cut the umbilical cord and hold the baby first. I was so touched by her strength and generosity. Despite everything she had been through, Tanisha remained focused on what was best for her child. It was a beautiful moment, and I knew right then that Brian was going to be in good hands.

Tanisha’s Strength and Resilience

Tanisha’s journey didn’t end in the hospital room. After she gave birth to Brian, her life took a new turn. She had bonded deeply with the family who adopted Brian, and she was at peace with her decision. They had promised to help her through the rest of her pregnancy, and now they were giving her the support she needed to start fresh.

In the weeks that followed, Tanisha moved into her own place and started thinking about her future. She enrolled in school and began working toward her teaching degree. Her family, who had initially cast her out, began to reconnect with her. They acknowledged that she had made the best choice for her baby, and over time, they softened their stance.

Tanisha and I stayed in touch, and every now and then, she would call to check on Brian and the Janson family. They, too, kept in touch, sending her updates and photos of Brian as he grew. It was a win-win situation. Brian had the love and support he needed, and Tanisha could move forward with her life, knowing she had made the right decision for her children.

Closing Thoughts

Tanisha’s story reminds me why we do what we do at Project Cuddle. It’s never easy to walk alongside women who are facing some of the hardest decisions of their lives, but it’s always worth it. The weather doesn’t always help, and life often throws challenges our way, but with love, support, and community, we can weather any storm.

Join Us in Making a Difference

If you or someone you know is feeling scared or unsure about a pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Project Cuddle. We’re here to listen, support, and provide safe, non-judgmental guidance. Whether you need information on safe surrender, options, or just someone to talk to, we’re ready to help you make informed and legal decisions. You are not alone, and your call will always be confidential. Let us be a resource for you—call our office today or use our hotline if you need immediate assistance.

Tune in next month and there will be more to come.

Hugs & Cuddles.
-Debbie Magnuson, The Baby Saver