Milo was born, Michael Xavier Lough, prematurely at 33 weeks to his parents Emma Moretti and Wyatt Lough. He was his parents second child after his older brother, Matthew. Although small and undercooked, Milo was always a happy baby.

Milo was born and has always lived in Chicago, Illinois. Right on the edge of Lake View and Roscoe Village. His family rode the line of working class and lower middle class his entire childhood, but it was a simple and happy life nonetheless.

As a child, his family called him “Mikey”. He was a very outgoing, enthusiastic kid, who loved to dance and move. His father was very passionate about music and the record player was always on in the home. He’d play guitar and sing for the boys often.

Growing up, Emma only spoke Italian in the house and Wyatt English, so both kids picked up on both languages equally. Milo is fluent in Italian to this day and uses the language exclusively when talking to his mother.

Milo’s parents were always unconditionally supportive of their children and encouraged Milo to express himself through his clothes and hair and interests. From birth, Milo had a full head of hair and up until age 11, those curls stayed growing, reaching his lower back at times. Milo was always very adamant about picking out his own clothes from a young age, being so outspoken. He loved bright colors, sparkly textures and rain boots, and would oftentimes be drawn to the girls clothing at the thrift store. (where his mom let the kids pick out their clothes for the school year).

Milo loved dancing. He could barely sit still anyways, so getting him into a sport where he could just move move move without being scolded by teachers or coaches was really good for him. His parents put him in dance and tumbling at age 5. He started off in pretty much every dance category, jazz being his favorite at the time. But as he grew older, his fascination with ballet drove him to focus in on that instead.

At age 10, Milo’s dad was killed in a car accident. The incident was severely sudden and flipped the family’s world upsidedown. Now a single mother, with only a part time job, Emma struggled severely financially and mentally. Her mental health dipped so quickly, Wyatt’s parents (Milo’s grandparents: Xavier and Ruth) opted to take the kids for awhile so she could get back on her feet. Matthew decided to stay but Milo left school and drove with them to their serene farm about an hour outside of the city.

Milo thrived on their farm. It was an extremely healing experience for him and his grandparents, who had lost their only child. He stayed on the farm for 7 months, well past the time Emma needed to heal. But, he had grown accustomed to the slow life, begging his mom every month, and every visit, to just stay a little longer. By the time the next school year started, he eventually returned home.

During many long talks with his grandmother, Milo had learned about change, rebirth, growth and so on. He had cut his long curly hair, alongside his grandfather, in honor of his dad. And this is when he decided to start going by “Milo”.

When he finally returned, Milo was starting middle school. He rekindled his life long childhood friendship with his best friend Zane and family friend Penny, and the three became inseparable. Everyday, after school, the trio would go to one of their three houses and hangout. At Milo’s house, they’d play instruments, sing, do crafts and help Emma cook. At Zane’s house, they’d play baseball or water guns, or try to “prank” his half-sister, Veda. And at Penny’s house they’d skateboard, go to the lake, collect fossils, and explore.

Milo still struggles with his father’s death, but through many meetings with the school’s counselor and appointments with psychiatrists and therapists, he is slowly learning to cope. Milo’s mental health is rocky, but his outgoing, upbeat nature is so heavily contrasting, you’d never notice. He has a great support system, and keeping himself moving with dance, singing with music, laughing with friends, drawing with his comics, and writing with his journal is how Milo retains that giddy smile.