Teen Takes Mom to Prom to Give Her Back a Piece of Her Youth That Was Taken From Her

Ohio high school student Trey Potter is alive today because of a choice his mother made when she was still a child.

Trey’s mother, MelissaRoshan Potter, grew up living in 23 different foster care homes, and by age 16, she was homeless and pregnant by a man who raped her. Her decision to follow through with the pregnancy is something her son Trey has always admired.

To honor her for her selfless act of love, the 16-year-old decided he would give her a small piece of her childhood back by taking her to his high school prom.

As promised, here it is!!! My amazing son who I was pregnant with during my own prom time, invited me to be his date as I didn't get to go. I am so grateful for his selflessness! Dreams do come true! I really am at Prom!!!!! (Love you Trey!) Ps. Why I say, "Prrrrom!!" Smh! lol #teenmoms #selfless #prom #thankful #melrosvoice #memories #dreamscometrue #saturdaynight #happiestnight @teenmomtalks #asseenincolumbus #inspirationalposts #momhood #collegebound #blackengineer #testimony #hopedealer #vegasvolt #ardell #verawang #promgear #prom2016 #futureleaders #leader #lovemore #prommakeup #anastasiacontourkit #ardell #naturalcurls #teenpregnancy #photooftheday #powerful

A video posted by melissaroshan (melro) (@melissaroshan) on Apr 16, 2016 at 7:52pm PDT

“She never had that experience, and she’s risked so much throughout my life and made so many sacrifices I thought it would be the right thing to do,” Trey told WCMH-TV.

Potter is the child of a rape that happened when her mother at an even younger age.

“My mother was raped when she was 13, and I am the product from that rape. And as a result I lived in the foster care system and didn’t hear any positive reinforcements that I was valuable or worthy,” she told WCMH.

Despite the warnings she received after learning that she was pregnant, Potter, at just 16 years of age, was determined to care for her child and provide him with the opportunities she never had.

“When I was pregnant with him, well, I heard, ‘Mel because you lived in the foster care system, you’re probably not going to raise a thriving individual. It just doesn’t happen. You can’t give him what you don’t have.’ So seeing who he has become and knowing the sacrifices that have been made and how much I love him and seeing that come to fruition, I’ve proved [them] wrong,” she said.

Potter rose above her circumstances and now works as a successful makeup artist and model. But her greatest vocation is being an advocate for foster-care children.

In Trey’s view, there couldn’t be a woman more worthy of a special night out.

“I think it shows her how much I appreciate her, 'cause I really do after all she’s been through and all I’ve been through with her,” Trey said.