I used to travel the world as a scuba diving instructor, living island to island from the Caribbean to the South Pacific. I’ve logged nearly 2,000 dives under oceans across the globe, witnessing wonders few people ever see firsthand. Some of my favorite encounters have been swimming alongside whale sharks in Thailand, bull sharks in Fiji, and humpback whales and dolphins in the Virgin Islands. Every move I made was for work, but I embraced each new home fully, ready to make memories that would last a lifetime.
Just a month into starting a new job as yacht crew on a 150-foot live-aboard scuba diving vessel, I discovered I was pregnant. Our boat moved between three different Caribbean countries in just one week—a dream opportunity, one I had been thrilled to begin. So, learning I was pregnant in those first few weeks felt like the ground had shifted beneath me. It was a mix of awe, confusion, and sudden responsibility that I hadn’t anticipated.
Abortions are illegal in much of the Caribbean. After finding a small pharmacy with pregnancy tests, I confirmed what I suspected. Then I went to a women’s clinic on St. Maarten, where the boat was docked, for an ultrasound. When the doctor played the tiny heartbeat out loud, I froze. In that moment, I realized I had three paths ahead: abortion, adoption, or raising this child. As I heard that little heartbeat, I knew life was taking me on a completely new journey. I was going to be a mother.
Parenthood, in my eyes, is the ultimate love story. The idea that a body can grow a human from scratch, birth them, and then watch them blossom into their own little person is nothing short of magical. Parenthood is also the greatest commitment and accomplishment one can achieve. In my daughter, I’ve found a lifelong friend.
My name is Cassie Botnick, and my daughter is Luna Botnick. I’m 29 and a single mom to my vibrant 15-month-old. I share our lives openly because I hope it inspires others—to embrace their own strength, to advocate for their children, and to understand that anything is possible.
People often ask me if single parenthood is hard. Honestly, it’s all I know. I have nothing to compare it to, so I can’t say if it’s harder or easier than parenting with a partner. What I do know is that the bond Luna and I share is pure and unbreakable. I am raising her to understand that families come in every shape and size. One parent or two, three, or more—family is whoever lifts you up and fills your heart with love. Luna and I are a family of two, and together, we are everything.
When I learned I was pregnant abroad, I returned to New Jersey to start the greatest adventure of my life. My pregnancy was challenging. Luna was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction and didn’t grow as she should. I attended weekly doctor visits and had a few hospital stays before my scheduled c-section at 37 weeks on April 10th, 2020. Two days later, I brought home my tiny 5-pound miracle.
During this time, I also made the decision to finish my college degree—a dream long delayed by years of traveling. Balancing pregnancy, motherhood, and academics was daunting, but I persevered. In May 2022, I will graduate from Rutgers University with a BA in Journalism and Media Studies. I plan to walk across that stage hand in hand with Luna, my constant companion and motivator. Finals were taken while nursing her, pandemic Zoom courses completed from the living room floor between building blocks and storytime, and every accomplishment I’ve earned has been with her by my side.
Our next chapter is full of dreams. I hope to work remotely, homeschool Luna, and raise her while exploring the world together. We aim to inspire other families to venture beyond comfort zones, to see the world, and to rewrite the narrative of single parenthood. We’ll immerse ourselves in different cultures, languages, and landscapes—from snowy mountaintops to floating on tubes in the ocean at sunset—experiencing life together in ways most only dream of.
Recently, Luna was diagnosed with cognitive and communicative developmental delays and sensory processing challenges, potentially on the autism spectrum. She’s begun occupational and developmental therapies through early intervention, ensuring she has the support she needs to thrive. A label doesn’t change who she is—it only opens doors to resources and understanding for both of us.
People sometimes ask, “Why are you so happy despite her diagnosis? Are you still planning to travel the world?” Of course I am. Luna is my joy, brilliant and beautiful exactly as she is. Autism is not a disability—it’s a different way of experiencing the world, one full of magic and unique abilities. We will explore, adapt, and grow, always together.
My advice as a parent is simple: have no expectations for your children. Be their guide, role model, and cheerleader, but let them define their own paths. Support, encourage, and love unconditionally—everything else is theirs to decide. I don’t know what Luna’s future holds, but I will embrace it fully, no matter where life leads.
Raising her around the world gives both of us perspective and resilience. Life will throw hurdles our way—that’s inevitable. But moving forward hand in hand with courage, curiosity, and love defines us. I’ve searched the world for love, only to discover that my greatest love was within me all along.
I’ve never wanted a career behind a desk, and I don’t want Luna’s childhood to be confined to one either. Together, we will learn, explore, and grow—climbing mountains, walking ancient streets, witnessing wonders firsthand. We’ll cross the Great Wall, marvel at Roman ruins, and embrace every culture we encounter.
I want Luna to meet the world head-on, to make friends across continents, and to see bravery and kindness in action. I hope our story reminds others of their courage, resilience, and the power of empathy. The world needs storytellers—and our greatest love story is just beginning.
