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Rachel Arderi Reflects on Becoming a Mom at 15: "I Didn't Even Know How to Hold You"

Thursday, August 13, 2026 by Emily Vargas

Rachel Arderi, a Cuban influencer based in Miami, took to her Instagram stories to share a heartfelt message celebrating her eldest son Yan Carlos's first day of second grade.

The posts feature the young boy posing next to a striking neon green sports car, dressed in a plaid flannel shirt.

Accompanying the photos, Rachel expressed her deep nostalgia and maternal affection: "The love of all my lives, my big boy, my first great love, the one who made me a mother, my little treasure, you're growing up too fast, but I'm happy and proud of the good and noble boy you are. I adore you, my king."

In another story, captured from inside a car while wearing white sunglasses, the influencer delved deeper into her emotions: "I don't know if it's just me, but I'm still adjusting. Just days ago, I was nursing you in our little house in Río Verde, back in Cuba, remember? And just yesterday, I watched you bathe yourself, saying you didn't want milk in a bottle anymore but in a cup... Omg, how can the years fly by so quickly?"

Rachel also reminisced about the first time she held her son: "Just 15 years old, with you so tiny in my arms, not even knowing how to hold you properly." Yan Carlos will turn eight in September, and his mother couldn't hide the mix of pride and wistfulness she feels watching him grow.

The story accompanying the child's photo summed up the sentiment of the day: "There's a very big and beautiful boy of mine starting 2nd grade today."

Rachel and Yan Carlos arrived in Miami in May 2024, leaving Cuba behind. Since then, the family has built a new life in the city, purchasing their first home in March 2026. In September 2024, Rachel and her partner Oniel Bebeshito welcomed their youngest daughter, Mía.

Yan Carlos, who has his own Instagram account under the handle @yancarlitosarderi, frequently appears in his mother's posts. In October 2025, he experienced a memorable moment when he met Lionel Messi at Miami's Chase Stadium.

Rachel Arderi, with nearly a million followers on Instagram, is partnered with Cuban singer Oniel Bebeshito, a prominent figure in Cuban music abroad, recognized by Billboard in 2025 as one of the rising Latin artists.

"You and your sister are my reason for being and living," Rachel concluded in her message, dedicating the moment to both Yan Carlos and her daughter Mía.

Insights on Rachel Arderi's Motherhood Journey

How old was Rachel Arderi when she became a mother?

Rachel Arderi was 15 years old when she first became a mother.

Where did Rachel and her son move to in the United States?

Rachel and her son Yan Carlos moved to Miami, Florida.

What important event happened for Yan Carlos in October 2025?

In October 2025, Yan Carlos had the opportunity to meet Lionel Messi at the Chase Stadium in Miami.

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