On July 19th, 2003, my mom married my step-dad. Not only did she make the best
change for her life, but she also made the best change for mine. Marrying my step-dad
completed our little family. Before it was just my mom, me and of course my older brother
too. Life was great and I did not believe it could get any better. It was nice when he was
around (as my mom’s friend) and it was nice when he was not. When my mom and stepdad decided to get married, things changed, and I was not so sure that I liked sharing my
mom with anyone else. I remember doing anything I could to avoid my step-dad just to
ask my mom a question that even the next door neighbor could answer. It just didn’t feel
right to ask his permission for anything. Times changed though and they changed quickly.
His love for me and my brother was as genuine as his love for my mom, and we could feel
it. I quickly went from introducing him as my step-dad to my friends and teachers to
introducing him as my father. After all, he has the fatherly role in my life. I could easily
say that I have the best parents out there. Even when I am getting in trouble for something
I did, or getting told to do something that I did not want to do, at the end of the day they are
still the best parents a girl could have.
I believe that a parent’s job is to provide for, support (both physically and mentally)
and to prepare their children for a happy and successful future. My father has filled that
role and so much more for me. He did not start out with the responsibility of caring for my
brother and I, yet he has provided us with everything a father could give and more. From
taking me on fishing trips and hiking the Appalachian Trail together, to picking me up
when my first semester at UNF ended this summer, my dad has been there for me every
step of the way and then some.
My parents have helped shape me into the individual I am today. When I struggled in
high school, they got me the help I needed. Many young adults my age do not get
disciplined for wrong actions. However, I have always been disciplined for things that I
was not suppose to do, or things that were wrong. In that moment, you do not like your
parents because they are disappointed in your choices, but today I am thankful that my
parents took action. Although at times it has been a hard lesson, they have taught me
responsibility, respect, and they have kept me on the path to success. They continue to
guide me and shape me into the person I am today.
My parents work very hard to keep both my brother and I in college. My mom works
full time and my dad works full time as well. When my dad is off shift, he is working his
second job at night. It is not always easy having two kids in college at the same time, but
my parents have somehow made it work and have provided my brother and I with the best
college experiences so far. My parents give everything that they work for to my brother
and I so that we can have a smooth and successful college education. When my mom is
out of the office, she is on her computer at home researching numerous opportunities for
me at UNF including volunteering, scholarships and student jobs here on campus. With
money being tight, my mom always pushes me to take advantage of any opportunity that
presents itself. She finds the scholarship, I write the essay. I guess that seems fair
enough. She also found me multiple job and volunteer opportunities here on campus and
I was fortunate enough to be selected for two of the jobs. One was working this past
summer as a UNF Sports Camp Counselor (my mom actually took a day off of work to
drive me four hours one way for my interview last spring) and I currently work as a
Student Assistant for the College of Arts and Sciences. She also helped me fill void time
when I wasn’t working and before Summer B term began, by helping me find volunteer
opportunities on campus. It was a great way to get acclimated and meet new people. I
was able to help with the UNF Diabetes Walk and also enjoyed helping at Ogier Gardens.
I volunteered throughout high school and it was a great experience that I hope to continue
in college and pay it forward.
My mom adopted me from South Korea when I was just a baby and my father entered
my life when I was six years old. We might not be your “typical American family” but we
are the most awesome German, Korean, French Canadian American family I have ever
met. My parents have done so much for me throughout my life. I would love to give
something back to them.
To me, my parents are the epitome of what the
“Parent/Guardian” award recipient should be.