I didn't take the normal route.

I didn't even take the suggested route. In my junior year of high school, it was uncertain if I would even graduate. I did graduate, but it was a combination of moving to another city, home schooling, another high school, and a credits only school that made it happen. (Not to mention getting a lot of problems taken care of, which were the reason I was having such a hard time functioning and going to school.

College had always been the next step, so I surprised everyone by joining the Army right before I graduated. I felt like I needed a structured plan to really get a good start to my future, and I wanted to fight for it. I enjoyed the physical activity and the way that the only way to get any respect was to give it completely. I thrived under the intense atmosphere.

Unfortunately, life throws curve balls that no one can plan for and all we can do sometimes is try to keep up. I met a man through a few friends. Bryan was older, good looking, and what really interested me was the fact that he was also in the Army. We talked a few times on the phone, bonding over the fact that we enjoy the military structure, and he gave me advice on how to be successful in the Army. I was enamored and impressed by him.

On our first date, we went to a pool hall to play pool. From there, we went to a party, driving our own cars. I had plans early in the morning, so I didn't drink at the party, which is why when he asked me to give him a ride home because he was drinking, I didn't hesitate. He raped me that night, and I was left damaged in ways that I couldn't start to understand. Suddenly it felt like my fascination with the military and with Bryan were wrapped together, and it took only a few months for everything to fall apart. When I finally turned to my superiors for help, it was too late, and my Master Sergeant recommended that I get discharged from the Army, with a note on my record to welcome me back should I ever choose that route again.

I moved to live with my mom and grandparents to get my life together. I enrolled in college, but was still unable to really function and ended up dropping out. At a low point, I went to the mall to see my cousin's new job at a museum. There I met her boss, who offered me a job. A science museum seemed so far away from anything I'd ever considered before and I wanted to do something, anything with my life. I started work the next Monday.

I arrived at 9:50 am at the front gate, and was greeted by a handsome man that I had noticed the week before. He asked me if there was anything he could do for me, and I told him it was my first day. He opened the gate, brought me inside, and gave me a tour of the museum, telling me tips and tricks of how to work there. I was nervous, but I was enjoying the new start. Turned out that this man was having a rough week, and to cheer him up one day, we went to go play pool with my cousin and a friend of his. We became inseparable after this, always on the phone, always hanging out after work. We started dating.

If I had not had a troubled youth, I wouldn't have had a hard time graduating high school. If I hadn't of had a hard time graduating high school, I wouldn't have joined the army. If I hadn't of joined the Army, I wouldn't have gone on a date with Bryan. If I hadn't of gone on a date with Bryan, I wouldn't have been raped. If I hadn't of been raped, I would have never moved to live with my mom and needed the new start. If I had not needed a new start, I would have never met my husband that day at the museum.

I am not most 21 year olds. I am starting life as a stay at home wife and mom, and I could not be happier. I have definite plans (with so much encouragement from my husband and family) to return to school and obtain a degree. This will take me longer then most, but I will be learning and loving the entire time. I get to start my life a survivor, and I get to start it with my best friend and lover by my side, and my baby boy in my arms.