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Holiday is reminder to live dreams

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  To many, the Fourth of July represents parties, picnics, fireworks and probably a couple drinks. For me, it is a reminder of the best days of my life, and the lessons learned from them.

I always dreamed of having a family, but for a while, it seemed not to be in the cards for me.

By July 4, 2004, I had finally given up on love. At the time, I was a college dropout and had a low-paying job at a radio station in Sacramento. I was supposed to have the day off and was planning a barbecue at my apartment when I got the call that my station wanted me to do a broadcast at the Placerville fairgrounds. This meant my roommate and friends would get to have the fun without me. I was not happy about it, but when the boss tells you to do something, you do it.

I got to Placerville, a small town about an hour north of Sacramento, and set up my gear. After setting up, I sat at the table under my canopy. I was frustrated that I had to work - until I saw the girl with golden hair and an amazing smile walk by the table.

She was from New Mexico and was the most beautiful girl I had seen. Instead of going camping with her parents, she decided to visit her grandmother and watch her uncle play in his band at the fairfrounds.

Neither of us planned to be at the fairgrounds. You can call it fate, destiny or luck - but I sure am glad she was there.

Exactly one year later, I married my beautiful wife and we will celebrate our seven-year anniversary Wednesday.

So what does my little love story have to do with you? I learned through my experience that I didn't need to give up on my dreams.

I spent years of my life dreaming about the family I wanted, but then gave up on it. My defeatist attitude made me feel sorry for myself, causing me to feel worthless. If I had found love when I wanted it, I wouldn't have my two wonderful daughters and my soon-to-be-born son.

Whether your dream is to finish your degree, start a family or someday retire from the military, don't give up on it. Live your life to the fullest now, do everything you can to set yourself up for success, be patient and trust that your dreams can come true.