Growing Up Air Force--The Values That Shaped My American Story
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, I've been reflecting on how incredibly fortunate I am to have been born in this amazing country. For me, America has never been an abstract idea on a history page—it has been woven into every chapter of my life, beginning with my family's military service and continuing through a lifetime of caring for others, helping families achieve the American Dream and watching the next generation grow. 🇺🇸
I was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina while my dad was serving in the United States Air Force. Like so many military families, ours rarely stayed in one place for long. In fact, I attended nine different schools between first grade and graduation. I never even made it to kindergarten because I seemed determined to catch every childhood illness known to mankind—measles, mumps, chickenpox...you name it!
Being an Air Force "brat" wasn't always easy. Every year or two meant a new house, new classmates, new teachers and starting all over. At the time, I didn't always appreciate it. Looking back, however, those moves gave me confidence, resilience and an appreciation for people from every walk of life. Ironically, those experiences prepared me perfectly for a career as a nurse, then a second career helping families relocate and find a place to call home.
One interesting thing to note is that I graduated high school during the bicentennial year--1976! 50 years later, we are celebrating another milestone year for America.
Growing up as the daughter of an Air Force Captain also meant there were expectations. My bed wasn't simply made—it was made correctly, with hospital corners tucked in so tightly you could bounce a quarter. My room was cleaned before I was asked. Chores weren't optional and "almost" was NEVER good enough. Being late wasn't acceptable because it showed a lack of respect for someone else's time. Those weren't military rules in our home—they were simply the way life was lived. Looking back, I realize those lessons became the foundation for everything I've done my entire life. 🇺🇸
One of my only regrets is that I never served our country in uniform.
Thankfully, my brother more than made up for that. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy (Go Falcons!) and devoted his career to serving our nation. In 2002, he received the prestigious James J. Jabara Award for his exemplary service during Operation Allied Force.
Military service runs deep in our family. My father served. My brother served. Both of my grandfathers served. Every one of my uncles served. One of my nephews has served as well.
We are a military family and we are incredibly proud to be one. Growing up in a military family taught me that patriotism isn't something you talk about once a year on Independence Day. It's something you live every day. It means doing the right thing when no one is watching. It means honoring commitments. Respecting others. Serving your community. Leaving things better than you found them. 🇺🇸
Those lessons have guided every chapter of my life—from nursing to real estate to the way I try to treat every person I meet.
As a registered nurse, I had the privilege of caring for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Later, as a real estate broker, I discovered another way to serve.
Every time I hand someone the keys to a new home, I'm reminded that homeownership represents one of America's greatest freedoms. Helping families find the place where they'll raise children, celebrate birthdays, gather around holiday tables, welcome grandchildren and create lifelong memories isn't just my profession. It's my own small way of contributing to the American Dream.
Patriotism, for me, is getting goosebumps when the first notes of The Star-Spangled Banner begin to play.
It's standing with my hand over my heart.
It's watching a military flyover and feeling a lump in my throat before the first aircraft even appears overhead.
It's hearing the final soaring notes of our National Anthem, looking around at the people beside me and realizing just how blessed I am to call this country home. It never gets old. It never becomes routine. 🇺🇸
This year has reminded me more than ever how precious life truly is. Earlier this year, my husband survived a life-threatening medical emergency. Watching him come home reinforced something I've always believed: freedom means little without faith, family and the opportunity to care for the people we love.
Another full-circle moment has been helping my 90-year-old father move back to North Carolina—the very state where his military service began our family's story and where his first-born daughter entered the world. After a lifetime of serving his country and raising a family built on those values, seeing him come home feels like a beautiful ending to one chapter and the beginning of another. Today, as I help him settle into North Carolina at 90 years old, I realize that although military assignments took us all over America, home has brought us full circle.
As I look toward the future, I think about my six grandchildren and the America they will inherit. 🇺🇸 My hope is that each of them will grow up understanding that freedom isn't something to be taken for granted. I hope they appreciate the sacrifices made by generations before them, embrace opportunities with grateful hearts and find their own unique ways to make a difference in the lives of others.
Watching them grow reminds me that every child has gifts to share with the world. My first grandson, Liam, has taught our family lessons about unconditional love, patience, perseverance and celebrating victories that others might overlook. He reminds me that greatness isn't measured the same way for everyone—and that every life has immeasurable value.
If America's next 250 years are built by young people who lead with integrity, compassion, gratitude and a heart for serving others, then our future is in very good hands.
As America celebrates 250 years, I'm grateful not only for the opportunities this country has given me, but for the values that have shaped my life because of the family into which I was born.
I am proud to be an American 🇺🇸 because I was raised to understand that freedom isn't free. It has been earned and protected by generations of brave men and women—including many in my own family. The greatest way I know to honor their sacrifice is to live with integrity, serve others, love my country and never take our freedoms for granted.
Many thanks to Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs. & Kathy Streib and everyone who shared their heartfelt patriotism in this month’s challenge as together, we celebrated America’s 250th birthday. ❤️🇺🇸
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