Pursuing higher education is something I have always wanted to do. I was on that path years ago, but when we were stationed overseas, I had to put it on hold. I became pregnant during that time, and caring for my son, who has ongoing medical needs, meant continuing to set my education aside. My husband deployed multiple times during our son’s first year of life, and much of that period I managed on my own. Even then, I never lost sight of my goals. I focused on where I was needed most at the time, and when the opportunity came to return to school, I was ready to continue. Not just for myself, but for the kind of future I want to help build. I’m now attending Johns Hopkins University, where I’m proud to be learning and growing as both a student and a future nurse. Being back in school has only strengthened what I’ve always believed. I want to raise a son who sees strength in women and understands that you can love your family deeply and still have goals of your own. Managing school and motherhood has been difficult at times, I’ll be honest. It takes a lot of planning, patience, and flexibility. I rarely get downtime. Most of the time, I’m crossing one thing off the list and moving on to the next to make sure everything that needs to get done is done. As a military spouse, I’ve had to build a support system from the ground up with every move. We don’t have family nearby, so I rely on the people around me: my husband, my son’s educators, friends, and neighbors. Creating that community takes effort, but it’s what makes this life possible. I’ve also used my own mothering instincts and abilities to care for others in my program. As the curriculum representative for my cohort, I advocate for my classmates, listen to their concerns, and speak up when something needs to change. Supporting others in this way has felt natural to me, and it's one of the roles I'm most proud of. Some days are more balanced than others. There are moments where one role needs more from me than the others, and I’ve learned to adjust without feeling like I’ve failed. I’ve become more organized, more flexible, and more grounded in my priorities. Being a student and a mother at the same time has pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. It’s helped me become more focused and resilient, and it's made me appreciate the small wins that come with showing up day after day. I’m not doing this perfectly, but I’m doing it with intention. Every day I show up for my family, for my education, and for myself. That’s something I’m proud of. I know this work matters, not just for the future I’m building, but for the kind of example I want to set for my son.