By Diane Perez, CEO & Founder of God’s Princess Life Coaching LLC

There was a time in my life when I had no idea who I was—and I wondered if anyone really cared about me.

Understanding your worth is essential for building self-esteem and resilience.

As a senior in high school, I was halfway through the school year when I met a man 10 years older than me. I thought I was in love—until the abuse began. I ended up pregnant and had a beautiful baby boy. He became my whole world, and I wanted to give him everything.

Through this journey, I learned that recognizing my worth was crucial for my well-being.

I tried to make it work with his father, but nothing I did was ever enough. The emotional and physical abuse continued. Eventually, I left him and did my best to co-parent.

Soon after, I met another man on a military base. We instantly connected, began dating, and within a month, he proposed. Just three months after meeting, we got married at the courthouse—four days after my son’s first birthday.

When his military service ended, we moved to his hometown in Virginia. That’s when the abuse began. I begged him to change, even threatening to stay behind in California unless he promised to stop. He agreed—but the promises didn’t last.

Two years later, I returned to California with my son and 2-year-old daughter, tired of being lied to and hurt. I had no intention of going back.

But he convinced me again. He said he missed us. He promised to go to counseling. I returned—and had another daughter.

Things got better for a time… but then they got worse.

I found texts and emails from women he was meeting. The lies, the infidelity, the emotional and physical abuse—it all came back. I prayed for years that God would change him. But nothing changed.

So I made a plan.

• I sent my documents to my mother in California.
• I wrote a letter and filed it at the police department.
• I spoke to an officer about the threats. They were getting more frequent, and I feared for my life.

Eventually, I bought three Greyhound tickets for my kids and me. I was scared to fly, but I was more scared to stay.

Why am I sharing this?

Because there was a time when I didn’t know how valuable and precious I was.

I was too beautiful to walk around with bruises and busted lips.

I didn’t know my worth as a woman—and they preyed on that weakness.

Sometimes, as women, we can see everything around us—except how beautiful, smart, and talented we are. Others try to dim our light. But the Bible says:

“Do not hide your light under a bushel.”

We have to be proud of who we are and how brightly we shine.

Know your worth.
Don’t let anyone abuse you, diminish you, or convince you that you don’t matter.

If you’re in an abusive relationship, seek help. There are resources. There is safety. There is hope.

I pray my story empowers other women to question who they’re with—and to know that they deserve real, honest, healthy love.

Despite all I’ve been through, I now have the honor of helping other women remember who—and whose—they are.

You are so valuable because there is no one else like you.

Know your worth.

About the Author

Diane Perez is the CEO and Founder of God’s Princess Life Coaching LLC, officially established in January 2021 after years of offering guidance and support to women privately. She is a mother of three—Josiah, Briasia, and Dayanna—and proud fur mama to Mimi.

As a 10-year domestic violence survivor, Diane draws from personal experience to help women rediscover their identity and worth. She endured abuse during high school and throughout a seven-year marriage, but began her healing journey in 2014 by leaning into her faith and sitting with God.

The phrase “You don’t get to talk to me like that—I’m God’s Princess” became her personal affirmation and ultimately the name of her company. Diane is committed to helping women heal, grow, and prepare to receive the kind of love they truly deserve.

Learn more about her work at God’s Princess Life Coaching LLC.