Who Am I?

After WVTM Anchor Brittany Decker stepped away from the station to have a baby, she had planned on returning to the Hearst station and anchor the news.

But, becoming a new mom, can and will change your priorities.

Decker now says that she is stepping away from the anchor desk, and isn’t quite sure what is next.

This was what she posted to social media.

AFTER MORE THAN 15 YEARS OF TELLING OTHER PEOPLE’S STORIES, I HAVE A CHANGE IN MY OWN TO SHARE. I won't be returning to the evening anchor desk at WVTM 13.

I began maternity leave expecting to come back. Between loving life with Jaci and unexpected opportunities in Jared's growing business, so much has changed for our family in a short time. We want more room to be together through it all. This wasn't the decision I planned to make, and it hasn't been an easy one.

Motherhood has made me look at my own identity in ways I wasn't prepared for. A hard pregnancy. Stepping away from running a marathon every single month for seven years. Now leaving the desk where I've spent so much of my adult life. I've looked in the mirror lately and thought, "Who the heck am I? And what am I doing?" Haha. I imagine some of you moms understand that feeling.

Honestly, I'm confused, happy, sad, mostly excited and definitely grateful. And uncertain… a lot of my life doesn't feel familiar right now.

Here's what I do know. I want to be the best mom I can be, keep challenging myself and do meaningful work that gives me energy. I want to love my days, even the Mondays. Success is designing your own life and pulling it off. That's what I plan to do. Change is uncomfortable, but I'm excited about the possibilities ahead. I'm trusting my faith to guide me and whatever work I do next, I want it to be a way to serve.

Hearst has given me a platform to share stories that matter, opportunities to challenge myself and room to become better at this work over the years. WVTM trusted me to follow an idea, even one that started with throwing a dart at a map to find a story. Because of that, I have so many experiences and people in my life I'll carry with me.

Ten years ago, Hearst/ this job brought me to Birmingham. That opportunity led to the life I have today, including Jared and our sweet girl. My gratitude for that is hard to put into words. I still love and believe in good journalism, writing, and being a community advocate. I hope to have the opportunity to return to WVTM in the future and remain involved with WVTM and Hearst in some capacity.

I also want to keep telling community stories here, so please keep sending them my way.

To my coworkers, photographers, coanchors and everyone behind the scenes: I love you. We've shared hard days, happy days and so much life between newscasts. You will be part of my story forever.

And to you watching, thank you for letting me into your homes and trusting me to be part of your lives. I am so grateful to call Alabama home. I hope you'll stay part of mine. If you see me out and about, please say hi.