When all is said, LJ Reyes is thankful for the experience of being a single mother.
"There are not much talks about how empowering this experience is!" the GMA-7 actress says in her latest Instagram post.
Nine years ago, LJ gave birth to Aki, her son with boyfriend Paulo Avelino.
Eventually, LJ and Paulo parted ways, and the talented actress became both father and mother to Aki, raising him on her own.
As she posts a throwback photo of herself with her toddler, LJ narrates how single motherhood gave her a special bond with son Aki. That bond, she says, has been her source of strength through the years. It is also a bond that no one can take away.
Published as is, her post reads:
"Aki is the reason that I am a strong woman today.
"Dahil sa kanya, alam ko na kahit ano kaya kong pagdaanan.
"Alam kong meron kaming special bond ni Aki that nobody can take away from us.
"Kahit na hindi ko sya kasama bawat minuto nung mga panahong yun kasi kelangan kong magjuggle ng time sa kanya at sa trabaho, alam ko that we were always together in spirit and in our hearts.
"I had to make tough decisions sometimes alone pero isang tingin ko lang sa kanya, isang yakap, isang ngiti (with those chinky eyes), para na ako agad si Wonder Woman sa lakas!
"Habang pinapalaki ko sya, I, myself, was growing into the strong woman that I am today.
"Grabe ang pagpapasalamat ko kay God dahil kay Aki!"
Today, LJ and Aki's family has grown.
LJ is in a relationship with fellow Kapuso actor Paolo Contis.
Their partnership has led to the birth of their daughter Summer in January 2019.
LJ writes in her post: "Today, we are enjoying a family life, but I will never forget the times na kami lang ni Aki."
Aki turns 10 years old in July 2020.