Kylie vandenberg

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo is a symbol of healing and transformation. It covers a painful reminder of a dark time in my life, reclaiming that space with meaning and strength. The black ink doesn’t represent darkness in a negative sense—it represents the power of facing it, embracing it, and learning to love even the parts of myself shaped by pain. This piece is a tribute to my resilience, a reminder that I’ve not only survived my past, but grown stronger because of it.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could speak, it would tell the story of my survival. It shows my highs and lows, my strength, and my softness. The black doesn’t represent darkness—it’s the beauty of facing it and learning to love even my demons. My tattoos are my armor when I feel unsteady, reminders of the love I’ve grown for myself—from my inner child to the woman and mother I’ve become. No shame, just truth. Just healing.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to help pay off the debts I’ve been carrying since my kids' father passed. The weight of those bills, along with trying to make ends meet, has been exhausting. I’ve fought to keep us afloat, but it hasn’t been easy. Paying off some of that debt would take a huge burden off my shoulders, allowing me to breathe again. It would help me be more present for my children, to truly show up for them without the constant worry, and to give them the stability and l