My Story

The cool night air woke her up as she walked alone to her car. As she started the engine, the music began to play. She felt the feeling of the song, and was quickly absorbed. The road was an open invitation to her and she felt like driving - not that she was running from anything - but the act of driving alone on the dark highway and thinking to herself was therapeutic.

She began to think of things from years ago, feelings and thoughts that were alien to her current life. She remembered opening envelope after envelope, expensive letterhead offering her scholarships across the country, fancy brochures depicting the happy life she would lead if she earned her degree from their school. She enjoyed the feeling of being courted, of being wanted by so many schools. But still, nothing seemed right. Sure, the act of planning her future was a scary task. But the fear didn't stop her from making a decision, if anything it motivated her further. She never quite knew the right words to describe her feelings, but somehow she knew she wouldn't be fulfilled leading the life the world had planned out for her. She wanted something different, so she bucked the system and decided to attend none of the schools.

Her parents were baffled, and she thought, maybe a little worried. Teachers shook their heads in disgust, disappointed in the lost potential. Friends scattered, and people at the small town grocery store whispered rumors of drugs or pregnancy. Especially after she met the boy.

She remembered being overwhelmed by the boy. She had thought she had loved before, but the feelings that took her over far surpassed anything she had imagined. Their relationship grew quickly, and soon they were married. A teen bride was something she had never considered. But still, they had a home, they had each other, and they were incredibly happy.

Even though she never grown displeased with her life, or regretted her decisions, sometimes she wondered how her life would have been if she had followed the other path. Would her internship in Washington have aligned her with powerful people? Would she have been a high priced attorney, fighting injustice and working 16 hour days? Would she be the no-nonsense business suited CEO who turned the business world on edge?

She sighed. Her thoughts turned then to tiptoeing into the house. She would be home soon and would sneak into her sleeping daughters room, tenderly brush the hair from her forehead, adjust her blankets, and kiss her goodnight. Then she would pad across the hall to her room, snuggle under the blankets, and put her cold toes under her husbands legs for warmth. He might murmur a few words of quiet protest, but still, his arms would wrap around her and she would feel safe.

She was nearly home when she realized she was smiling to herself. She was anxious to get home to the ones she loved, to where she belonged. She knew then why she was never caught up in the appeal of the other life. She knew that nothing could compare to the joy she had already obtained. She may lack the fancy degree, but she realized she had already learned life's most important lesson. And the best part was, it was only going to get better.