Dear Charlotte and Eleanor,

I grew up in a very traditional family. Dad worked and Mom stayed home. My younger brother and I were teenagers when Mom went back to work. Times were different back then.

The importance of getting an education was never a question in our home. That fact was well known and from my earliest memories, much like going to church wasn't an option, neither was going to college.

The problem was my very traditional father. I could be a nurse, a teacher, or a secretary. Those were traditional female occupations. I wanted to be a veterinarian. Nope, that was a man's occupation.

I was known in our neighborhood as the pied piper of stray pets. They'd follow me home from school. I thought it was great, my parents not so much.

Back to the original problem, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Even though I was a daddy's girl, when it came to this problem, having him wrapped around my little finger didn't work. No amount of batting my big brown eyes, pouting, or tears helped. I was destined to NOT be a veterinarian.

Finally, I resolved myself to the fact I'd never get to choose my own occupation, so I became a teacher. I did enjoy it. I love children, but still my heart yearned to be a veterinarian.

I'm happy to remind you that your older cousin, AriAnna is studying to be a veterinarian. I'm betting great grandpa is rolling over in his grave.

What I wish I had known when I was younger is that females can be whatever they want and don't let anybody tell you they can't.

Lesson Learned:

* choose your course and don't allow anyone to talk you out of it