When I was thirteen years old, I discovered my favorite book, "Braless in Wonderland" written by Debbie Reed Fischer. The story follows Allee Rosen, a high school overachiever who ends up scouted by a Miami modeling agency. Her journey continues as she falls down the rabbit hole into the wonderland of the Miami modeling world. The author happens to be one of my mom's former and favorite agents when she used to model.

Since reading this book 7 years ago, it has become my reality. My mom was a model signed with a top agency in the early 90's and ever since looking at her modeling portfolio when I was three, I knew I wanted to model. However, my mom was deadest against keeping me away from this world. Modeling was very different during her time, instead, she encouraged me to focus on my grades and volunteer opportunities. Maybe she intuitively knew it was best to wait until I was eighteen, which I did.

One of my mom's modeling images.Dr. Elizabeth Trattner

Despite my mom's hesitation, I have fallen down the rabbit hole and landed in the mythical world of the Miami fashion scene. I have met a colorful cast of characters, people who have all played an impactful and important role in my life.

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Contrary to popular belief, models are not just bulimic drug addicts. This statement is complete bullshit! Models are women who had the guts to take a risk and "go for it." There is one woman who has faced every obstacle possible. I admire her tenacity, grace, and elegance. She teaches me to stand up for myself and not take other people's negative energy. She always has my back and I'll always have hers.

When walking into jobs, I see these women with beautiful big features, but more importantly, they have even bigger hearts. Their beauty is so much more than skin deep. They are advocates for their countries, they are artists and they are students. Some are studying to become lawyers, doctors, and teachers, some are even parents. Then there is me, the model who brings her textbooks and laptop everywhere, and who writes for The Odyssey.

A dear friend is living her best life shuffling between LA and Miami, another friend (my other half) used to be a dental student before making a career shift to modeling. I have walked for world known designers at Miami Fashion Week and bumped right into verified supermodels during Miami Swim Week. My agents have become my confidants, women who guide me into making good life choices whether that be for work or even my personal life.

I have crossed paths with women I would never have met if it was not for modeling. My hope is that these women stay in my life for a long time. One of my mom's closest friends, for now, twenty-seven was a photographer turned model who she met at an agency party. This woman is so much more than a friend, she is a member of my family, someone who I have photos with as a baby and now as an adult. A photographer's wife, not my "aunt", her mom became my stand in grandmother when I was younger. I only hope the connections I make last as long.

I understand that what I do is a complete gift, one I can thank my stunning mom and my incredibly tall dad for. This is a lesson my mom has drilled into me. When I was in middle school, I was the awkward girl with glasses and a lisp. I was the last girl who people thought would become a model. Somehow, I managed to beat the odds and am now signed with a world known modeling agency. However, I have not gotten where I am today strictly based on good luck and genetics. I have had to work hard, using daily dedication, discipline, and sacrifice. This is still my job, what I treat as the luckiest job in the world.

Funny story, my mom was scouted at 17 yet my grandmother never told her. Instead, she was adamant about my mom getting a college degree. As fate would have it my mom was scouted again post-college, something that rarely happens. At the time, my mom was one of the few models with a college degree; it was a different time back then. My mom knew how lucky she was, and it is a story I would never forget. Today, many models have or are working towards their degree, just like me. Every time I work, I am grateful the opportunities I have and the gift I have been given.