Nikki Valdez celebrates the grade school graduation of her daughter Olivia.
The celebrity mom is overcome by emotions as Olivia's milestone brings back memories of her early days as a solo parent.
Olivia was about to begin school when Nikki took on both parenting roles—just as she was about to restart her acting career after her two-year hiatus.
Nikki had "just enough money" in her bank account when she went to a nursery school, accompanied by her mother, to inquire about tuition fees and requirements.
The ABS-CBN star can "still vividly remember" the day she and her mother sat down in front of a small grotto inside the school grounds and prayed—with her holding a piece of paper detailing school expenses and wondering, "Kakayanin ko po ba ito?"
Fast forward to today, Nikki is now a proud mother to a grade school graduate.
In her Instagram posts, she thanked all of the people who helped her throughout those difficult years.
She wrote, "I cannot help but look back to all of those days when I thought I could not support you on my own. Lord and Mama Mary, You both have been so good. You gave me strength as I put my faith in You and gave me so many good people to help and provide.
"Thank you ABSCBN—-nung nabubuhay pa si Direk Wenn Deramas and he found out na nasa Pilipinas na ako for good, tinawagan niya ako agad to tell me isasama niya ako sa show niya and Direk Lauren Dyogi @direklauren thank you too. I will never forget your phone call assuring me that I will have work so I can sustain my daughter."
The celebrity mom thanked her husband Luis Garcia for being a "God sent."
"Thank you for being a good provider, Math tutor, my partner and Dada in raising Olivia. You are our God’s BEST my love. Maraming maraming salamat."
Nikki didn't forget to thank her family—her support system since day one.
She further wrote, "I could not let this day pass without thanking my family. My Kuya Alfred and our bunso Angeli @xuan_geli who would pick Olivia up from school when Mom and I can’t and for your constant reminders for her to be a good girl and most specially my parents [when my Dad was still alive, he drove Olivia to school and he did so until before his last breath], my Mom— Ma, THANK YOU for EVERYTHING.
"For watching over Olivia, cooking her baon and taking over Dad’s role to drive her to school when I am at work. I am lucky that you are still strong and healthy enough to do all these and fill in the gaps for me."