Mayte Garcia

For many years, people have encouraged me to share my story. Prince was loved the world over, but few knew him intimately. And ours was a rare, almost otherworldly connection.

My past was so amazing. It's that fine line of appreciating it and letting it go. I have my animal rescue, and I have my daughter and my family that helped me move forward.

I just don't like to have bad energy with people.

I believe a child dying between a couple either makes you stronger, or it doesn't.

I wasn't a crazy kid. I never went out, never went to football games. I was a trained ballerina.

For years, my marriage to Prince was mine. The idea of exposing myself to the world... was terrifying.

Like most women, I always dreamed of becoming a mother.

As you all know, Prince is no longer with us. It is extremely difficult for me, and that is why I have chosen not to discuss it.

I basically gave up my dream of becoming a mom.

When I got married, the idea of starting my own family was at the top of my list.

Sleep is over-rated. When you're creating, travelling, and having the best time of your life the last thing on your mind is sleep.

Prince never, ever mentioned it except to say he wished he was taller so he could play basketball. He was actually a really great basketball player.

When I got divorced, it was another culture shock. It was going from this world I had been into since the age of 16 to literally standing on the streets of New York in kind of shock.

To lose two babies is really scary. It really caught on me emotionally, physically, everything. It took me at least 15 years to get over it and still, to this day, I miss my son.

I have faith that I'll find love again, and if I don't, I'm okay with that.

Find something you're passionate about, and focus on it.

Any kind of loss helps when you talk about it.

I never called him Prince because I wanted him to be a person to me, not the man behind 'Purple Rain'. Plus, technically, I was married to the Symbol... When we got married, it was much easier. If someone else was there, I could say, 'Could I speak to my husband, please?'

I'd always been a very focused dancer and very protected.

Prince was my first crush, and my first love, but we didn't start to get serious until I turned 18. He was very respectful.