How did I get here?

Sometimes when I look back over the last several years, I ask myself, "How did I get here?" When I started college at the University of Illinois in 2003, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was just thrilled to be there, proud to be an Illini, and thought I'd figure it out soon. I honestly thought I'd just enjoy the adventure, and not worry about dating until I was done with college (I did more than enough dating in high school).

Then I met this guy. He was dreamy. We was wearing jeans and a fitted black t-shirt, and he had long, untamed hair with white streaks in it, and a beard, and the most electric blue eyes I'd ever seen, and he was carrying his dinner tray right across the dining hall. Then we talked. He loved Jesus and was genuinely sweet, and was one of the most intelligent people I'd ever met. Then it was over. Any expectations of what I thought college would be like were gone right out the window.

Three years later I married that man and we moved to Carbondale at the last minute where he got a job. I took a year off school to work. During that year, I realized that I did not want to get a degree in just anything and end up working at a bank forever, which I loathed. In those three years I was falling in love with Kyle at Illinois, I still never knew in what I wanted to major. I changed it 5 times. So, when I took a year off school, I did a lot of praying.

I kept hearing the answer, "speech-language pathology." I'd heard this before. The first time I felt led towards it was my sophomore year at Illinois. I quickly decided against it because I didn't want to go to school that long (4 years, plus 2 for a Master's). Well, if I had only obeyed that calling the first time, I would already be done with my master's by now. Anyway, I kept saying "no."

Finally, God changed my heart. I completely caved, and fell in love with my classes and the field. It's amazing what happens with just being obedient, and doing what you know you're supposed to do.

It has been seven years, and I am standing on the brink of graduation from Southern Illinois University. I still have two more years ahead to finish my Master's degree so I can actually get a job and practice, but I am excited for what's next in this wild ride.