by Mayte Garcia
Our wedding program.
Me and my dad on my wedding day. This picture was taken right before it was time to put on my wedding dress. Prince had just arrived, and my dad and I were both happy and relieved.
The CD he made for me on our first anniversary, with his hand-drawn illustrations.
The day we got Mia.
My mother took this Polaroid of me and our new dog. I sent it to Prince, and he said next time he wanted to go roller-skating with me.
My husband decided he wanted to announce our pregnancy to the world in his typical dramatic style.
This is the only photo I have left of my pregnancy showing my belly—a Polaroid taken in our backyard. I cherish this image.
December 1996—our son would have been two months old. I had lost the weight, and I looked OK from the outside, but I was dying inside.
Our last public outing together in Paris. I was so upset, but he was wearing my necklace (bearing my zodiac sign), which gave me a little hope.
This shot was taken by Steve Parke at our house in Spain for Vogue. This was the last time my husband visited our house, the same trip that he tried to get me to sign an annulment of our marriage.
I took this “selfie” of us during that same Steve Parke Vogue shoot. You can see the distance between us.
Then, Prince (behind the camera) turned the lens on me himself. All I can think when I see this picture is how sad I look.
The gates of Paisley Park when Prince died.
Doing the tribute concert in Minneapolis in June 2016 was one of the most difficult nights of my life—but also cathartic. So many of the important people in his life came together to celebrate his extraordinary life. I was honored to be there.
Me and Gia—my light, my everything.
a note from the author
MAYTE’S RESCUE is a dedicated 501C3 nonprofit on a mission to save abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. My love for dogs started as a child at my grandmother’s house in Puerto Rico. At the time, she was like the Mother Teresa of stray dogs and would take in every emaciated, sick, and homeless dog on the block. She would nourish them back to health, and they would immediately become her pets. Every summer, my sister and I spent three months at my grandmother’s house with twenty-five strays that I considered my furry siblings.
A few years ago I stumbled on a post on Facebook—a series of pictures with oil drums full to the rim with euthanized cats and dogs from a shelter. Horrified, I decided to do some research on dogs and cats in the US shelter system, and my heart sank when I saw the sheer number of domestic animals killed each year. Motivated by these shocking statistics and my love for animals established as a child, I started Mayte’s Rescue. Please join us as we help find loving homes for shelter dogs.
MAYTE GARCIA
Contact me: [email protected]
Visit my website: www.mayte.com
Want a dog or cat or friend? www.maytesrescue.com
Watch for new arrivals on Instagram: maytejannell
Follow on Facebook: officialmaytegarcia
acknowledgments
This story is my truth as I remember it. Some events have been condensed and some characters have been composited for length. Dialogue was reconstructed for dramatic purposes, using letters, videos, and public records. I’ve done my best to stay true to the content of the conversations, the facts of the events, and the spirit of the relationships portrayed in this book. Others may remember or perceive conversations and events differently. Though my journey has taught me a great deal about Pfeiffer syndrome, partial molar pregnancy, multiple sclerosis, the music industry, and the adoption process, I do not consider myself a medical or legal expert, and no part of this manuscript should be construed or misconstrued as medical or legal information or advice. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NPG, VH1, or any other organizations who’ve employed me or hosted me as a teacher or public speaker or any organizations who may employ or host me in the future.
My love and gratitude go out to:
All the animals who’ve come across my path and to the ones I have yet to save. Mia, my guardian angel, I love you. Boogie and all my furry angels in heaven, keep up the good work. Mayte’s Rescue supporters, we’ve only just begun. Gail, you are family. We love you.
Mama, you’re an amazing woman and the best mama I could have wished for. Gia and I feel the sunshine of your love every day. Thank you for always having my back. Daddy, I think we have 75 more years left! Thank you for being my daddy. Jan, I thank you for being my sister and for bringing Myra into our family. Your love is true. Stephen, Drue, Dave, and Jen thank you for being there through a lot of the ups and downs. I love you all—and that love extends to family and friends too numerous to mention here. Every one of you has a special place in my heart.
I’m so grateful to Team Beautiful, starting with Gladys Gonzalez, my manager, and Jennifer Gates, my agent, who helped me shape this project from the beginning. This couldn’t have happened without you two. Thank you! Joni Rodgers, you are the light in the dark room I was in. Thank you for hearing and helping me with my story. Jerusha, the grid is real! Patrick Demarchelier, thank you for your beautiful photographs. Michelle Howry and Hachette staff, your respect for my story and for Prince’s fans has meant so much to me.
To Prince’s family, our NPG family, the purple army, Sheila E, Wendy, Sotera, Robbie, Randee, and all the beautiful ones—the many brilliant artists, musicians, photographers, dancers, and crew I’ve had the joy of working with: Your love and support has gotten me through so much. The love is felt, and I hope you feel my love and gratitude in return.
my love for you is eternal.
Amiir, I love you. Thank you for letting me be your mama.
Gia, my angel! I dedicate this story—and the rest of my life—to you. Because it was you who brought meaning and light to all of it.
In your gracious name, thank you God.
Mayte Garcia
Spring 2017
image credits
All images are courtesy of the author, except as follows. All images are used with permission:
here: John Garcia, (here) Francisco Marquez, (here) John Garcia
here photo courtesy John Garcia, (here) Sotera Tschetter, (here) Shutterstock
here Getty Images, (here) Randee St. Nicholas
here LeAnn Doescher
here Nicole Nodland, here Randee St. Nicholas
here Patrick Demarchelier, here Nicole Nodland
here Randee St. Nicholas, here Getty Images
here Patrick Demarchelier
here Shutterstock
(here and here) Steve Parke
here Isabel Subtil, here Getty Images
here Fabien Benhamou
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