Welp, I made it. I am 27 today! I remember thinking how old 25 year olds were. They were getting married and having babies and buying houses. Who wants to do that?! Well turns out I do! (Well not having babies – don’t get too excited about that yet!) I’ve surpassed 25 and now begin my 27th year of life. As I reflect on this day (as I’m sure we all do as we age) I can’t help but think about how far I’ve come. If you read my blog and follow my Instagram, you see a beautifully curated version of my life. I hope you see parts of my personality in my writing and styling such as my attention to detail and my love for cute things. What you don’t see is the journey I took to get where I am today. There are reasons I love DIY projects. I’m proud of the life I lead and all that I’ve accomplished but it easily could have been very different and I’d like to share with you a little more of my story.
I grew up in a small town. Not so small that there was nothing going on – but less than 100,000 people. I grew up with my mom and brother in a single parent home. My mom worked hard to raise my brother Casey and me, like really hard, and she got all of us out of a really bad situation when we were young. That was probably the hardest thing she ever dealt with and as an adult I can now see how AMAZING my mother is. Let me just tell you: welfare is not all crackheads,”baby mamas”, and people scamming the system to get a free iPhone. I’ve heard so many vulgar things about welfare and it really upsets me to hear people with such a warped opinion of it. Long story short, growing up we didn’t have a lot of money so my love for DIY and thriftiness stems from that.
Fast forward, to after high school and I became a first generation college student. This was thanks in large part to the Upward Bound program. They’re a college prep program for “at risk” high school youth (low income or 1st generation college students). Because of UB and the amazing people who work with the program I was able to go to college and graduate from Oklahoma State University. Of course, major props again to my mama because nothing in my life would be possible without her.
I loved college. I loved the independence and I loved the community. I loved the opportunity I had to do something with my life. But it was so much harder than I expected. After being told I was “gifted” and “advanced” growing up, I thought college would be a breeze. It wasn’t. I had to work hard with school and 2 jobs so I was able to keep going to college and doing the fun things I wanted; like joining a sorority. I made it though with a degree in Management Information Systems (thanks Spears School of Business) and a love of philanthropy (thanks Alpha Delta Pi).
I scored a job right out of college thanks to the on campus tech support I worked through school. After a little over a year there I had the opportunity to take a chance and follow my gut (and heart) and move to Houston, TX. Within a year Eric and I were engaged and shortly after, married. We live a happy life here in the lonestar state- one I only could have dreamed up. Houston has become our home and I love it so much here. I’m so grateful for the life I’ve earned and love sharing it here on this blog. Thank YOU for following along. I still have big dreams – ones I KNOW are possible and I am eager to achieve them. Stay tuned.
Cheers to 27 years!
Photos by Loren of Think Elysian
You are the epitome of a go getter. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story, Amber. You’ve done a lot of awesome in your 27 years, and I have a feeling you are nowhere near done. Happy Birthday, doll!
Fav post yet! Great pics!
LOVE this! Thank you for sharing friend and I hope you had the most wonderful birthday today, cheers!
Amber,I am so proud of you. I know how hard you have worked. I have known you most of your life. Your mother is so proud. You shine my little bright one. Travel on. Life has so much ahead for you and Eric. Keep dreaming. Keep smiling. Love you bunches!