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Crystal Parks

@_crystal_parks_

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A wife and a Mom of 2 trying to navigate and understand the complexities of nutrition, safe products, and clean living. 💁🏼‍♀️
Our body is worth it 🖤🤍

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Our town’s Halloween parade is one of my favorite nights of the year. For close to 10 years, we’ve had family and friends over before the parade, walked down together, and made so many memories. It’s a tradition we look forward to every year.

I honestly wasn’t sure if my heart was going to be able to do it this year. My mom loved parade night, and she was always here with us. But our family and friends rallied together to make it happen, and I’m so grateful they did.

Last night was filled with a lot of emotions. I decided to wear one of my mom’s jackets, and at one point I put my hand in the pocket and found the rosary beads I had bought her in Italy. Of all the things I could have found in that pocket. Another little sign from her, maybe it was her way of saying “keep going, I’m always with you.” 🙏🏻

The past three weeks have been such a blur. I honestly have no concept of time right now, and so much of this still doesn’t feel real. But I am incredibly grateful for our village. The people who continue to show up, keep our traditions going, and make these heavy days a little lighter and brighter.

I’m so glad we had our parade night. I know Mom would have loved every minute of it! 🧡🕷️🍭🎃🖤

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ONE YEAR 🧡🍊🙏🏻

One year ago today, before heading to the city for my first infusion of the FSHD clinical trial, I stopped at my fav local coffee shop (@rizecafe_ ) and ordered a random drink. I had no idea that little coffee order would eventually become “The Taylor” or how many of them I’d drink over the next year. 😂 But somewhere along the way, it became my comfort drink, my emotional support beverage, and just one of those little things that brought me joy during a year filled with a lot of unknowns.

I remember that day so clearly. The nerves, the what ifs, the hope. After living with FSHD for so many years and watching this disease slowly take things from me and the people I love, getting to sit in that room and be part of a clinical trial was an answered prayer.

I had no idea what the next year would look like. I didn’t know if I would be receiving the drug or the placebo. I didn’t know if it would work. I still don’t have all of those answers. But I knew the and know now, I wanted to be there. For myself. For my girls. And for every person living with FSHD who is hoping that someday the words “there is no treatment” will no longer be part of our story.

Over the past year, I’ve made that trip again and again (#10 is coming up soon!). I’ve sat in that bed, put on my worship playlist, and started every infusion with the same song , Mighty Name of Jesus (@hopedarst has been a light for me this last year!). And every single time, I’ve reminded myself what a privilege it is to be part of something that could help change the future of this disease.

A year ago, this was all unknown. Today, I’m still so hopeful. Still praying. Still believing that God has had His hand in every step of this journey.

There is something really emotional about looking back at that girl walking into her first infusion a year ago and realizing how far I’ve come. And whatever comes next, I’m just incredibly grateful that I got to be a small part of moving FSHD research forward. 🍊 🧡

ps: scroll to the last photo, how amazing is my best friend?! she dropped off a basket full of orange themed gifts to celebrate one year of being in the trial. 😭 i love you, @_crystal_parks_

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Bachelorette in the city with the most beautiful bride-to-be and her favorite girls 🤍✨

“Friends who become family are the best kind.” 🥂💍

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Watching these girls grow, perform, and light up that stage is such a special thing. They all did an incredible job this weekend, and you can just see the hard work, confidence, and joy shining through. Another year of dance memories in the books, these really are the days. 🥹

C & D, always remember: “When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance!” 🫶🏼🤍

#musicaltheatre #hiphop #jazz #dancerecital #visionsdance

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long live girlhood 🎀🍒💕💋

such a fun ‘galentine’ birthday party for our girl!! there’s nothing sweeter than friendship and having your girls by your side, so grateful for this group (& a few who were missing!). such a blessing! 💓

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Christmas Eve with family + friends! 🎄🦌✨
My favorite day of the year, the anticipation, the realization that you made it, even when things were hard. Grateful to be surrounded by love. ❤️

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Take this as a sign to get all your girlies together on a random night to do crafts and girl talk!

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Our small town’s Halloween parade is one of the highlights of the year, and I can’t get enough of it! Living right off the parade route, our house is the spot for a festive pre-parade party. The kids lose it (in the best way) riding in the truck bed to the our spot on the parade route. Post-parade, we come back, the kids swap candy, we hang out, eat and chill by the firepit with our favorite people. It’s pure magic!! Here’s to our crew and unforgettable memories! 🎃👻

#lifelongfriends #halloweenparade #thebestcrew #spookyvibes

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NYC Part ✌🏻

#annualgirlstrip #2025 #nyc

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New York, New Memories 🗽🍎✨

#nyc #girlstrip2025

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July should get a speeding ticket! Wasn’t the 4th yesterday? July was filled with lots of pool days, ice cream nights, beach hangs, dinners with friends and just so much fun!! Slow down summer!! 😍🫶🏼

#julymemories #july2025 #2025thoughmylens #thequiggs2025 #monthlyrecap #thesearethedays #slowdownsummer #lazysummerdays

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Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! ✈️ 🎶

I absolutely love watching all of these girls shine on stage, they all did such an amazing job today! Another year of dance under their belt, they wrapped up the recital receiving their 5 year awards on stage! C & D, always remember; “when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance!” 🫶🏼🤍

#dancerecital #visionsdance #flymetothemoon #musicaltheatrelife #hiphopdance #dancelifestyle

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