After I finished my externship, I felt relieved but also proud that I had actually finished college and was finally moving on to graduation. The president of the college told me that my graduation date was April 14, 2014!

I told my mom about it, and all she said was, “Okay.”

When my cousins graduated from college, my family went all out celebrating. Extended family and friends came together to congratulate them. But since I was out of state in North Dakota, I thought my mom would gather the family together to send me a care package or maybe even surprise me with a visit for this special occasion.

As I waited for my graduation ceremony to approach, I finally had the opportunity to visit the Job Service office to see if there were any medical positions available, especially in the field I had studied. I signed in and waited to speak with a caseworker who could help me find employment.

I was now five months pregnant, so I needed employment ASAP!

When my name was called, I went inside her cubicle and introduced myself as a recent college graduate. She asked what I had studied, but unfortunately, she didn't have anything available.

Then she noticed the bump on my stomach. She hesitated for a moment before asking, “How far along are you?!”

I replied, “Next month, I'll be six months.”

She looked upset, grimaced, and said, “I'm going to be honest with you. When someone is further along in their pregnancy, management has a hard time finding someone to fill the position when they're on medical leave. Sometimes they don't return, so it's a waste of money when companies spend money on background checks and everything else.”

She then gave me two options: “You can either be a stay-at-home mom or go back to school.”

I looked at her like, “Are you fucking kidding me?!”

As stubborn as I am, and with no other choice in front of me, I decided to enroll in school again. Yep, you guessed it! Back to Everest College!

I called Career Services and explained what had happened. They couldn't believe it either. They told me to come to the Financial Aid office after graduation and enroll in MOA (Medical Office Administration).

**Graduation Day!!**

I was so excited, but also sad because I hadn't received any updates about my family coming to see me. I felt disappointed that Craig and Jerk were the only ones cheering me on.

I got the address, and we were on our way to the building. Of course, we arrived very early. Luckily, I found someone who was setting up the place and asked where I needed to go to pick up my cap and gown and where I was supposed to line up.

I told those two to find a place to sit, and that I would see them soon.

I finally found my group, and wouldn't you know it? I was the only one from Pennsylvania joining the crowd. Granted, I hadn't attended classes with these students.

I looked around and saw other families helping their daughters get ready, fixing their gowns, and taking pictures. I had never felt so alone.

A few of the ladies looked at me strangely because I had been thrown into their group. How embarrassing!!

As we made our way toward the auditorium, I was excited to hear *Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D Major*. But instead, they decided to play “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.

WTF?!?!

I swear the ceremony went on for two hours. I was starting to get hungry, and I needed to use the bathroom. All I wanted was my fricken diploma so I could go back home, crawl into bed, and cry.

Finally, it was our turn to receive our diplomas. When they called my name, Craig and Jerk cheered me on!

It wasn't quite the celebration I had hoped for, but it still made me smile.

What can I say? A soon-to-be mom had graduated and completed her education, but now she was going to have to do it all over again.

After the ceremony, there were crowds of people, mostly families. Balloons, cheers, and hugs were everywhere. I had never felt more depressed.

We drove back to San Bernardino, and JP asked where we had been that evening. Granted, I was still wearing my graduation gown. He looked at me and said, “Congrats, Jen!”

All I could give him was a thumbs-up and a fake smile.

Later that night, I called my mom. She congratulated me on finishing college, but I told her we needed to talk about something serious. I wanted to make sure I had her attention.

I explained what had happened at the Job Service office and how I was constantly having to ask Ashley and JP for rides. I needed my own set of wheels. The distance to my doctor's office was quite long, and the weather was getting hot, sometimes reaching 105 degrees.

She said, “I will talk to Dad and give you a call this weekend. Love you, and get some rest!”

As the weekend approached, she called back and told me what places to look at when shopping for a car at the dealership. She also gave me an estimate of what I could afford in monthly car payments.

Of course, with my big mouth, I told Jerk. He kept pushing me to get a brand-new car because it would be more reliable.

This was when trust was starting to wear thin. Reality was finally settling in, and the silence was becoming deafening!!

They don't put a warning label on the chapter where everything shifts at once. One door closes because someone else couldn't handle the reality of a growing family. A partnership starts cracking under the weight of the unknown, and yet here I am, sliding behind a brand-new steering wheel and heading back to class.

I'm scared, yes, and my hands are full. But I'm choosing myself, and I'm choosing the future growing right here.

One mile, and one lecture, at a time.