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Birth
I was born into a home with both parents. This is significant because as I grew up, I noticed many of my friends did not live with both parents. I was given a lot of love and attention as a child from my parents and also grandparents on both sides of the family. We all lived in the same community and saw each other around holidays and special occasions such as birthdays. The photo attached shows the significance of my birth and how my family was proud to announce my birth into the family. -
Brother's Birth
When my brother Jonathon was born, I was given an instant playmate. Jonathon and I grew up together and became very close. This is significant because some people grow up without siblings. He was a major part of my upbringing, and we remain close today. He's usually my first point of contact in a crisis. We still live in the same town, and we have children the same age who will grow up together. The image attached is a photo of my brother and I together on vacation. -
Started Elementary School
This marks the beginning of socialization with people outside my immediate family. One of my very first friends was a Hispanic girl at my school. My parents fostered this relationship, and she and I remained close throughout my adolescent years. It was my first experience with someone outside my culture, and I learned a lot from her. She came from divorced parents, and she and her mother lived with her grandparents. The photo represents all I learned about different cultures through school. -
Expressions of Affection
My family showed limited affection. I never recall seeing my parents hug or kiss in front of us. They hugged us and kissed us good night as children, but as we got older, physical expression of affection got less. This influences how I interact with others. I value personal space, and I am uncomfortable when people greet me with a hug or kiss. I've attached an image showing how I do not want people in my bubble. -
Farm Raised
I grew up on a farm outside of town. My entire upbringing was in the same home on the same farm. An agricultural background influenced my values in a big way. My father was a farmer, and my mother was a homemaker. Many of the values I possess were instilled through this lifestyle. We were taught to be hard-working and were expected to help my father during harvest as we got older. We were also taught respect for nature and people. The attached photo is a photo of my dad's farming operation. -
Southern Baptist
My father was a Baptist deacon in our church. Traditional Southern Baptist values were taught in my home. This was significant because as I aged, I began to rebel against some of the beliefs that I had been taught. I was shamed by people in our church for my rebellion. I was a very scientific thinker, so I was not sure I believed the same way I had been raised. I started attending church inconsistently in high school. Attached is an image of an abandoned church, much like how I abandoned mine. -
College Years
After graduation, I chose to attend college at the University of Texas at Austin. I learned so much about diversity through this experience because Austin is vastly different than my rural hometown community. I formed friendships with people from different cultures and sexual orientations. My beliefs continued to separate from the beliefs of my family. The image attached represents my college experiences that molded some of the beliefs I hold today. -
Infertility
My husband and I tried for two years to have our first child. This experience was significant because in my culture and community, people extend support through prayer and stating God would bring a child in His timing. We chose to branch away from those beliefs and conceived our first daughter through IVF, which is a highly-debated procedure in many faith communities. I do not regret our decision, and I've attached a photo of our first family picture together to represent this time. -
Grandmother's Death
In my culture, older people in poor health are often put into a nursing home to receive care. Unfortunately, my culture does not value aging people as well as other cultures. My father's mother is in a nursing home. My mother's mother recently passed from Parkinson's disease, and it was her wish to remain at home. My mother respected her wishes and cared for her around the clock until she passed. I've attached a photo of my mother and aunt caring for my dying grandmother. -
Holidays and Celebrations
One value we all share as a family is togetherness. Every holiday, birthday, and major celebration brings us together. We celebrate every event with a lot of home-cooked Southern food. My mom and I love to cook and bake, and it's how we express love to our families. I've attached a photo of my kids and their cousin painting pumpkins at my parent's farmhouse last weekend. We always find ways to be together, even if it's just a fall activity such as this.
