The Genesis of "If They Only Knew"

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Standing before a packed chamber of 250 people, Stephanie Regalado accepted a community award with composure and grace. No one in the audience could see that within her, the still body of her 14-week-old unborn baby lay silently curled. As applause filled the room, a single thought echoed in her mind: "If they only knew I could begin hemorrhaging at any moment."

Later that night, as her head rested on her pillow, exhaustion finally claiming her, she wondered about others in that very room. How many had shown up carrying their own invisible burdens? How many had glanced around thinking, "If they only knew" what lay beneath their carefully maintained exteriors?

This profound moment of contrast—between public perception and private reality—became the seed for what would grow into a movement. Stephanie transformed this insight into a wildly popular magazine column that eventually blossomed into a series of books that touch hearts and change lives.

The stories in If They Only Knew are offered with the protective cloak of anonymity—stripped of names, faces, filters, and frosting—allowing readers to experience each emotional journey as if it were their own. These accounts range from raw and inspirational to startling and, at times, even scandalous. Yet within each narrative lies the unmistakable thread of human resilience.

This collection stands as a testament to the transformative power of shared truths and the indomitable spirit of women who rise above life's most daunting challenges. It creates a softening in how we see one another, a deepened capacity for witnessing, and a genuine care for the unseen burdens we all carry.

As you read these words, you've likely already recalled a moment when you looked at those around you and quietly wondered... if they only knew.