Eighteen years of life is something to be thankful for.
Everyone who has crossed my path during this 18-year journey has had an impact on my attitude, opinions, and, overall, life. Yet, the question I am here to answer is: What made me into what I am today? Welcome to my journey, from the beginning to my present life.
I loved my childhood for many reasons— one being that I was an only child. This had its ups and downs. Ups being that I was somewhat spoiled, which there is nothing wrong with when there is only one child. Downs being that I was very attached to my parents. I partially hung out with children my own age, but, most of the time, I was with my parents and their friends. This has greatly affected me because, now, I stray away from people of my age group and always seem to befriend older people. I like the maturity of older generations and do not have much patience for the silliness of my age group. My parents also started me in school one year early, when I was 4, so that plays a role in my fondness of ages not as youthful.
My mom and dad were the only two people who raised me. We do not have any other family involved in our lives, especially regarding my upbringing. We have existing family, but we are not and have never been in touch to a point where family get-togethers were actual things. I love my small family of three, although I crave extra family members for the future, when I think about marriage. My parents never spoke of anything wrong about my family. We just were simply not in touch very often.
With that in mind, my parents have had some great friends. We have many close family friends that acted as my “other family.” I am very appreciative of these people because they were the ones who would come to family days, such as Grandparents' Day. They also provided me with breaks from my parents. When I was younger, I remember never wanting to go to other girls' houses for sleepovers. I always wanted the other girls to stay with me. My family friends helped me branch out of that stage by letting me stay with them because I was comfortable with them.
Family time was always a 24/7 thing. I mean, with only three of us, we did everything together, and I enjoyed pretty much every minute of it. Yes, my parents get on my nerves sometimes, but I love it. My parents are super funny and outgoing, so they’ve raised me to always have a great attitude. What comes with a great attitude is learning to enjoy everything that life throws at you. As for family time, whatever we did and however long it was, that didn’t matter. I was just enjoying the company of my mom and dad.
I have felt, and still do feel, loved, if not overly loved. My parents are the most loving and protective parents. I couldn’t— actually wouldn’t— imagine having anyone else. My parents always put my needs first and did anything and everything they could do for me. They still do. My parents are my favorite helpers. They are always there when I need them. Yet, as “spoiled” as this all may seem, they still have their limits when it comes to what they will do for me, because they have taught me what responsibility means. To this day, they are still teaching me how to be a responsible human being.
Independence has also been a major lesson in my life, from both my mom and dad. My mom always wanted me to grow up independent, so I wouldn’t have to rely on a man. My dad wanted the same thing for me because he looks at my generation of potential future husbands and is unimpressed. Some men don’t have the same drive to support women, as they did back in the day. I am thankful for every lesson on independence that my parents taught me, and I can proudly say that I am definitely one independent woman.
My parents are still together and will celebrate their 25th anniversary soon. When I was younger, I told them that if they wanted to get a divorce I would handcuff them to the bed, so they could work out whatever problems they had. Divorce was not an option. Their devotion to each other and their marriage has been a journey and, just like with any marriage, they have had their ups and downs. Each ride on the roller coaster was a lesson to be learned or provided a new idea to live by.
I am overjoyed to have my childhood, parents, and past responsible for how I have turned out today. I love where my life is going and the person I am becoming. My upbringing is what got me here. I owe it all to my mom and dad and, in part, to the world around me. My childhood experiences made me a strong, fun-loving, spontaneous, energetic go-getter. I am ready (and happy) to conquer whatever is thrown at me.
Thank you, Momma and Daddy-O,
Supergirl
