By Rachel Terrill

Jamila Curry was just twelve years old when she knew what she wanted to do with the rest of her life:“I wanted to be a mom and I wanted to help make women look and feel beautiful,”she said.

Today, with her husband Aaron (2009 first round draft pick), Jamila is a mom of four and is living her dream. While raising their children and working toward their goal of owning a salon, Jamila and Aaron run a non-profit foundation, Family 59, that helps children facing poverty, homelessness, and single parent homes. “Through our resources, education and materials, it is our mission to show the love of Christ and rid the world of poverty and homelessness one family at a time,”she said.

But before that dream came to fruition, Jamila was just a girl who liked a boy. After three years of friendship, she allowed him to be her boyfriend and eventually her husband.

“Aaron and I met each other through social media. Initially, I liked that he was that he was cute and our conversations were easy.”But, what attracted her to him the most was his thoughtfulness.

“I knew he was the one I wanted to be with forever by the way he responded when I needed him most. I was offered a job in Arizona after college. I was nervous about going and, while we weren't even dating yet, I desperately wanted him to tell me to stay. He never did. He only helped me weigh the pros and cons. Eventually I decided to decline the job offer. It was almost a week after I made that decision when he asked me if I really wasn't going. When I confirmed my decision to stay he said, ‘Good! I never wanted you to leave but I didn't want you to resent me later if I was the reason you chose to stay.’At that point, it was the most selfless thing anyone had said to me and, in my heart, I knew he was the one.”

They were married in 2009 and haven’t looked back since. They enjoyed Aaron’s college and NFL career and she admits that it went by quicker than she thought it might.

Jamila credits Aaron’s four years in the NFL as the time when they most grew in their faith. “Before the NFL, Aaron was not a believer. While I knew Christ, I had far removed myself from what I knew to be right. There were several players including Matt Hasselbeck, Justin Forsett and Kelley Jennings who constantly poured into Aaron’s life. They kept talking to him, showing him the love of Christ, inviting him to Chapel, Bible Study and eventually Pro Athlete’s Outreach where he gave his life to Christ. Since then, our lives, relationship and everything else have done a complete 180. Having a husband who leads me and loves me the way Christ loves the Church encourages me to grow closer to the Lord and become stronger in my faith.”

Post NFL, Jamila is focused on giving back. She runs an annual retreat for young women called Girl T.A.L.K (Taking Action, Living for The King) in her hometown of Charleston, SC.  The event allows girls to unplug and learn about the Love God has for them and what it means to be a part of the body of Christ through song, speakers activities and service projects.

In addition to their charity work and Girl T.A.L.K., Jamila loves caring for Aaron and their children. “I also love preparing meals for new moms,”she said.  “Being a mom I know what a blessing that has been for me to not have to worry about what my family will eat after bringing new life into the world.”

No doubt, Jamila is a blessing to many. She is living her dream as she works to make girls feel beautiful - inside and out. And as for the salon —there is no rush. “I know that God has given me a vision with purpose and I'm excited to see how it all works together in His timing.”