When I first started planning to go to graduate school for a degree in urban planning, I was not a parent, nor did I think I would become one any time soon. I was 22, my own parents were supporting me, and I was ready to go wherever the best offer came from. I took the GRE, applied to a number of schools, and was (among others) accepted to Cornell. But now, two years on, I have my partner Marty, and two wonderful daughters--ages 9 and 7. And going to Cornell and moving to Ithica means upending our life as a family. Having decided against this, I now plan to commute from Omaha to the University of Nebraska Lincoln for a degree in community development and regional planning. Meeting my partner Marty and becoming a parent to Charlie and Chase has changed my course entirely, and this exciting new path has lead me to stay in Omaha, and pursue my degree at UNL. Though certainly a change of plans, being a parent and a part of a household comes at the cost of a few adjustments. These adjustments, however, have been entirely worthwhile. And I think any parent will tell you as much: whatever the costs, family is worth it. Being a parent brings purpose of all kinds, but one worth mentioning here, is the purpose that sharing something brings into one's life. Earning something or making something for oneself is a worthwhile experience; earning something or making something for another--or to share--is a purpose. I hope to earn my degree in urban planning for many reasons, but most of all, to share the benefits with my family. As far as the financial benefits go, first on the list would be to use my income to help finish renovating and furnishing our home. But beyond giving that, not only do I want to give them hospitable private spaces, but hospitable public spaces. I want to use my education to become a parks planner and transform the city my daughters will grow up in. I want to give them places--in particular, parks--to grow up in, and to be themselves in. Planning parks for youth is not just a matter of designing the best playgrounds--in fact, by the time I finish my degree, they may have little interest in playgrounds. Designing parks for youth means building a safe environment, a social environment, a detailed and interesting environment. I hope that one day, I can take them to parks that I myself designed, and for it to be a place where they can flourish. So although plans changed along the way, I couldn't be happier. Now, I look ahead to a future with my partner and my kids, a career in urban planning, and to much time spent in well-made parks!