"I studied hard, taking more than a full course load in the hope that I would graduate early. I was in large part motivated by the need to recognize the sacrifices my sister had made on my behalf. I lived for my studies, wholly focused on my goal."
I paused and my eyes locked on Gabe's. He'd taken the end seat in the front row, daring anyone to tell him he had to move. He was determined that he would have the best seat in the house. One with enough space for the double-stroller which held our nine-month-old daughters, Lily and Lacey.
"My eyes were opened to the other possibilities life holds for us the day I walked into my American Lit class during my senior year and met my fate. We married the summer between undergrad and grad school and I had a new purpose. I planned to make him proud, honoring my new last name which I shared with him. Then life threw us a curve ball in the form of the beautiful daughters we had last summer. And today I stand before you knowing you really can have it all. The secret is to simply believe that you already do."