For a long time, I remember Independence Day as the day we celebrated our freedoms and celebrated being an American. I still celebrate that independence, but I also learned to celebrate my own independence.
Then, one day, when I was 21, I celebrated my own independence. No longer was I dependent on a man or my parents or my siblings. No longer was I dependent on my friends. I learned to depend on myself! I was a mother already so I had two little people depending on me. They did not need a mother who could not function without a man. Pfft! In a matter of moments ("I'm moving out today," said the man), I became ME. Not someone's wife, not someone's daughter, not even someone's mother. ME. Brandi. I realized that I could support my children and raise them to be healthy, happy, normal people.... no airs, no thinking I am better than you, nope... none of that. Just simply good people. Oh what a happy, joyful day that was!
Sure, it was easier said than done sometimes. There were times I longed to call someone and ask for a break. There were days that I did not think I could do this all by myself. But... I did. I did it on my own for seven years.
I am married again... I have even more children that I am raising to be healthy, happy, normal people. I am still independent to a degree, but now I have someone to lean on when I need it... and he has someone he can lean on when he needs it. We have a mutual respect for one another, instead of the one-sided respect I experienced before. We love each other and we are in love with each other.... even now.. years later! It took me a long time to learn that I could be married and still be independent.
So.... Happy Independence Day... to my family, my friends, my country, the US Military (thank you so very much), to the mothers and fathers and children :)
