On the streets of Exeter, spontaneous conversations often remind us of the simple, grounding forces that bring lightness back into our daily routines. In this feature, we connect with Adriana to talk about her children, growing up moving constantly, and what brings true vitality to her days.
For Adriana, feeling alive is anchored entirely in the innocence and carefree energy of her kids:
"My children, definitely, they're just so innocent, they're just full of life and they're just so carefree, they make me feel alive... I think it is just that the innocence, it's just remembering a time where you had no worries or no cares, bills to pay and work to go to, and everything was just fun and exciting. And that kind of makes me feel alive, because it just makes me remember being like that, makes me remember time when things weren't so heavy or hard."
Opening up about the hurdles she has faced, Adriana shares an honest reflection on school bullying and the constant transitions of growing up in an army family:
"Bullying in school, definitely. Lots of struggles, really, I was brought up as an army brat so I moved around an awful lot, and I think I struggled then to kind of make friends and feel connected with anybody. I guess now, I appreciate the stability and appreciate the monotony of life that other people might take for granted. I'm not big on change, I like being kind of stable."
Closing our conversation, Adriana shares a powerful and grounding message for the world:
"Live each day as if it's your last, you never kind of know what could happen tomorrow and your world could completely be changed and turned upside down. I think definitely just keep that in mind."
