The Birth of an Adventurer

I am a 37 year old woman that has lived an incredible life. Not always a happy life, not always a good life, but always an incredible life.

I was raised by my mom and step dad – my mom, a southern independent woman; my step dad a ‘Yankee’ from New Jersey. They were 2 very different souls, and their diversity gave me strength.

My mom taught me that I allow people to treat me the way they do…if something isn’t right, I can change that. She raced cars on the streets in the days when women were supposed to be girly and good, and I watched her take on formable foes while standing just over 5 feet tall. She made me wear a dress every day in elementary school until I told her I wanted to jump my bike off ramps like the boys. She taught me tenacity is good, and that there’s nothing wrong with being a girl. Girls, in fact, can kick ass.

My dad taught me that structure is important, and to honor and respect my country and military. He taught me how to drive my first car and then a stick shift, and the joys of a 5.0. He let me watch NASCAR and Formula One races, but he wouldn’t let me take shop class in high school. In hind sight he was probably right about that one. He nurtured my love of animals, and let me see him cry, and even though I was at times an awful, willful daughter, he died one of my best friends.

I have seen so much, and loved so much, and lived through things that others dream of…both bad and good. I have amazing friends, and an amazing family, and I am thankful for each and every day I have. I believe, no matter what, that life is good.

And everything happens for a reason.

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