My Father's Best Friend(28)

"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."