Growing up, college was never really part of the conversation in my family. Honestly, neither was the military. The path expected of me was simple: get married, raise a family, and settle into the life everyone else around me seemed to follow.
Instead, I chose a different direction. Joining the military became the first life-changing decision I ever made. The second was marrying Charles. And the third was finally finishing something I started many years ago — earning my college degree.
None of those choices came easy. There were sacrifices, setbacks, moments of doubt, and plenty of times I questioned whether it was worth it. But I kept going.
On May 9, 2026, I walked across the stage and received my diploma.
What made that moment so meaningful was knowing I did it for myself. No one pushed me, no one forced me, and no one carried me through it. I simply refused to give up on something that mattered to me.
And for that, I am incredibly proud of myself.
