After graduating from high school I moved to Utah, although I had gotten into BYU – I chose not to go. I got married. I started my family. A year later, I was divorced with a one year old – and found myself wondering where my dreams had gone.
Two things I must clarify before you read any further.
1) I do not regret any of my life choices.
2) I firmly believe that dreams do not change, they evolve.
I went through a long period of time where I threw myself a pity party. I was worried that the choices I had made had derailed my path to pastries and flowers and ultimate happiness. But – every time I looked into my sweet Annie’s face, and knew that not only had my future not derailed, it had only just begun.
I look at my friends from high school, and how they are completely living the dream they had outlined for themselves. I talk to complete strangers who find out I was married at 20, and now have five children – and no, I never did complete my college degree (not yet anyway).
Being a single mom for two years, I was forced to try new directions. I tried working in different industries, I took odd jobs. I learned many, many new things. I found out I was good at technology, I had an eye for graphic design and I was also learning to cook more – with less. The point is, I didn’t ignore anything simply because it didn’t fit in with my “plan”.
My husband and I married in 2001. He finished his degree at BYU and I was able to stay home with our rapidly growing family. I still nurtured thoughts of having my own business – but my children always came first. They were my happiness, and that is all there is to it.
I do many things. I try new things. I don’t stick with any one thing long enough to master it (it seems) – except for one. I am a mom. I’m a mommy. I am Momma. If there is but one path I can follow in my life, I’m pretty satisfied with the one that has found me.
Some may still be asking “why?” – Why in this age of working and having it all do I still choose the seemingly “old fashioned” role of stay at home mom?
This is why.
