DJ Envy - Real Life, Real Love: Life Lessons on Joy, Pain & the Magic That Holds Us Together

Editor: Samantha Weiner

Designer: Jack Frischer

Design Manager: Diane Shaw

Managing Editor: Lisa Silverman

Production Manager: Rachael Marks

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021946829

ISBN: 9781-419752780
eISBN: 9781-647002190

Text copyright 2022 Gia and RaaShaun Casey

Photographs courtesy of the Casey Archives

Cover 2022 Abrams

Published in 2022 by Abrams Image, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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We dedicate this book to our parents, Edward and Janet Casey and Antonio and Norma Grante, who have always supported and stood by us on this long journey.

Gia, this book is dedicated to you. I hope you know that my life is already and has always been dedicated to you. This booklike many things in my lifeis another reflection of our togetherness. It would be corny for me to say that you complete me, but its the truth. You are the sound in my headphones; the needle to my records and the bass in my speakers. You make this world of mine go round. Without you, my music is offbeat, and my mic doesnt sound nice. Not to mention, my meals are a lot better when you cook them.

Through the ups and downs, you have always been there for me. You are beautiful inside and out. Without you, I would be empty. You are my best friend, my confidante, and my passion. You are always there to comfort me, support me, and hold me when you know I need it. You are my soft place to land and my safe place to be myself. You push me to levels I never knew I could reach, and for that I am forever grateful. It is because of your support that I continue to reach higher grounds, and with you by my side, I know our lives will only get better. You never complain or ask for anything, so in turn, I want to give you the world.

To me, you are the clearest reflection of God. Your patience, grace, and selflessness make me so proud to call you my own. I know that there is no such thing as perfect, but you are the closest thing to perfection I have ever experienced. You are my angel who I know God selected especially for me. I love you for many reasons but mainly for your commitment to me and our family and for being an extraordinary wife and mother. You inspire me every day.

This ride has been breathtakingly beautiful, and with every passing moment, you continue to take my breath away. I pray that God gives us a lifetime together here on earth and for an eternity after that. Thank you for my family, thank you for sticking by me, thank you for teaching me unconditional love and believing in my potential as a husband, father, and provider. Mostly, thank you for being exactly who you are, because to me, love doesnt exist without you and I would have never known the true beauty of life without you in mine.

Mommy, you were a force. You were and will always be my example of strength and independence. You were my living representation of beauty, humility, and kindnessmy colorful picture of everything that a woman should be. You poured into me nearly everything that I am and everything that I will ever amount to.

You are my sense of comfort. You are my sense of home. In this life, I always felt as though it never mattered what went wrong or how badly I was tested, because I always had my mommy.

It felt as though you were my personal suit of armorprotecting me from the world.

You were my backup plan, my back-out plan, my Ill always have your back plan, my Ill never turn my back on you plan, and now, my Well be back together one day plan.

You were unwavering. Since I was a little girl, you assured me that I could come to you with anything and for everything, and you would not judge me for any wrong turns that I would take or any bad decisions that I would make. You were my fixer. And you let me know that if I ever got myself into anything, you would be right there to get me out. You had the ability to take a bad situation and use it as an opportunity to teach me a valuable lesson and uplift me. You were my source of empowerment. You provided me with the playbook of how to raise a daughter, and, with gratitude, I am able to refer to it daily as I raise my own daughters. To me, you seemed to know everythingas though you had all the answers. I came to you for guidance, advice, and supportconsistently, as did many others. And you never, ever disappointed. You were my closest friend, the one with whom I shared everything.

You told me that, despite all the complications and disappointments of the world, I could always stand on my own. You taught me steadfastness. You taught me resilience. You taught me that my thoughts and my words matter. You taught me that I was important.

You were my sidekick. I always wanted to have you near me. And if Im being honest, while growing up, I always felt badly for my peers because they didnt have you as a mother. In my eyes, they were missing out. You and Daddy were my greatest gifts. I enjoyed my childhood. I enjoyed my life. And I spent it with you by my side, cheering me on, grooming me to understand that I can accomplish anything and teaching me to cultivate a life from all the choices that were at my feet.

I remember sliding into the bed at night while you were watching The Young and the Restless on our VCR. I would lie next to you and you would cuddle me with your left arm. I remember the comfort that I felt with the touch of your hand. There was something special about that touch. It made me feel warm and safe. Without words, it made me feel loved and close to you. I remember thinking this was your special power, and I wondered if I would have the ability to make my children feel the same way, if I was blessed enough to become a mother one day.

Even as a grown woman, married and with those children of my own, I would slide into bed next to you, wanting to feel that same comfort. It amazes me that, even as your memory and mind were failing, your heart never forgot how to share that touch with me.

You always referred to me as spunky and fun, as were you. As two kindred spirits, we laughed and explored together. We traveled to different parts of the world to experience varying perspectives on life. We enjoyed absorbing the cultures and diving into what each destination had to offer. It didnt always go as expected, but at least we did it hand in hand.

Once, when we were in Hawaii, I encouraged you to go zip-lining through the treetops at the heights of Haleakala. You were, at first, resistant; on the way, terrified; and once you got there and looked down, noncooperative. But eventually, you agreed to give it a try. After the first course and at a speed of about thirty-five miles per hour, you cried and told me off for making you do it.