The finish line!

Disclaimer: I struggle letting many people into my core but I decided that I owe it to myself to write this moment down.

I have spent the better half of ten years wishing for more for myself.  I have decided several times to go back to school but then life always happened - we moved across the country twice, I found a new somewhat fulfilling job, I became a mom, the list goes on leaving the end result that I didn't follow through.  

Then it happened, the day I walked into the education program at Oakland University.  I was as nervous as I was excited.  But more importantly I knew this time was different!  The past two in half years have been an emotional, financial, and even physical stress on myself, the boys, and my family.  I have had every reason to take a semester off - a difficult pregnancy, a newborn baby, financial stress, or just trying to raise two boys.  However, I also had every reason to see it through.  I have quit a lot of things in my life especially when the going gets hard, but this opportunity as I saw it was my time to do it right!

In all the times I wondered if I could get through I would receive an evaluation or a grade reassuring me that becoming a teacher is exactly what I am meant to do.  So I dug my heels in(or lets be honest, flats )  and am finishing my classes with honors (what a difference 10 years makes;)

As my dad told me years ago "If you follow your dream of finding a career, the rest will fall into place"

Today I finally feel like I am at a place where I am happy and content with myself.  While I know I have a long an important road ahead with my student teaching, I can look back today and realize that all the hard work and sacrifice has been worth it.  I have learned a tremendous amount about myself, my marriage, the resilience of kids and the value of true friendship.  

I often tell myself and I certainly don't expect other people to understand, but I know I haven't chosen the easiest road.  Today I do know that I FINALLY DID IT! I have followed my dream of becoming a teacher and I could not be happier or more content with making this happen.  If nothing else I hope my boys learn that following a dream is more than just showing up and working hard.  

I have spent a long time envisioning this moment, completing my last class, and I can say that I feel as excited and nervous now as I did the first day I pulled onto campus.  I do know that today I feel a bit wiser, a little smarter and hopefully much more prepared to be a successful teacher!!