INSPIRATION/FAMILY
A Moment for All of Us
My Son’s Achievement and the Support Behind It
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, but especially
not yourself. Go conquer the world. Just remember this: Why not you?
You made it this far.” — Mindy Kaling
The day was finally here — my son’s PhD defense. Four and a half years of relentless effort had led to this moment, and my husband and I couldn’t wait. We’d flown in, brimming with pride, ready to cheer him on as he reached this huge milestone.
On the way to campus, he hit me with something unexpected.
“Oh, by the way,” he said casually, “Ashley (not her real name) wants me to dedicate the defense to her.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Of course, she did. His girlfriend of many years had been his rock through everything — the late nights, the stressful moments, the celebrations. This was exactly the kind of thing she’d want.
The twist? She wasn’t even there. Work training had her stuck in another state.
“So, let me get this straight,” I said. “She wants a dedication, but she’s not here to hear it?”
He just grinned, a mix of amusement and affection in his eyes.
