Prior to this election cycle, I had no idea who Melania Trump was. I thought Donald Trump was still married to Ivana, that's how closely I followed his life. But, in running for office, the Trumps were launched even more into the spotlight.

The first things I learned about Melania was that she was a former model and that she was 25 years younger than her husband. Both of these facts were placed before me with unspoken judgment against her. Because her husband was a trashy TV star, she was his trashy trophy wife. So I googled her.

Back in early-2016, all you'd really see about Melania were links to her social media, a handful of articles (not many of them recent) and her Wikipedia page. Wikipedia told me she was born in Slovenia, she became a model, she married Donald Trump, gave birth to a son, and has been involved in some charity work. Since I thought there was no way Donald Trump had a chance of winning the Republican nomination, much less the presidency, she stayed under my radar.

Now, she is the First Lady of The United States of America. I'll admit, I enjoyed the memes that came about from her plagiarism scandal. But more so as a student who had been lectured ad nauseum about bibliographies and citations than as someone laughing at her expense. It's the sloppy mistake of her speechwriters, not a woman whose first language isn't English.

None of us known what the Trumps' marriage is really like behind closed doors. We can only speculate. Melania grew up in a country that was governed by a benevolent dictator. When she was eighteen, she left to model in Milan and Paris. Maybe to escape a communist regime? Or to seek better opportunities? She gained success modeling and married Donald Trump. Donald has said on record that the two signed a prenuptial agreement, but we don't know what that agreement is. Enough to provide for herself and any future children?

The two have a son, Barron Trump, who is ten years old. According to Us Weekly, the Trumps don't employ a nanny and Melania is focused on being a mom. Many have criticized the Trumps for trying to avoid moving into The White House, citing, in particular, the expense spent for the Trumps to remain in New York. The Us Weekly article claims that this was Melania's choice. The conclusion I draw is that Melania hopes to maintain stability for her son. He doesn't have to switch schools, make new friends, or move to a new city.

She's also been involved with multiple charities and launched her own jewelry line. Melania Trump seems busy. The stereotypical "woman who does it all"; juggling a family and a career. She has millions of dollars are her disposal. She and her son will never want for anything.

For some reason, I can't bring myself to have any of the same disdain for Melania that I have for her husband. Her life seems exhausting. No wonder she stopped smiling when she thought no one was watching. Is it possible that her husband is in any way abusive to her? Maybe. But we aren't privy to every detail of their lives.

I don't judge Melania Trump for her life choices. They all led to her becoming First Lady of The United States. Let's hope she uses her new position to give back and spread the love.