I always knew I wanted to have kids and I wanted to stay home to care for them. But, I wasn't married when I started law school and I wanted to pursue higher education. Plus, I wanted to be able to make a good living for myself, which I could have done with my undergrad degree, but law school sounded more fun at the time. When I got married one year into law school, I wasn't about to just drop out. I wanted to finish my education and I figured that kids would come later.
By the time I had graduated and taken the bar, I had been married for two years and I was ready to start my family. I practiced law for almost a year and then I had little Jackson. There was no going back to work full-time after that. I just couldn't do it. I couldn't stand to be away from him and he needed me. I never knew love at first sight until I met Jackson.
Long story short, now I'm stuck with pesky student loans without the lawyer's salary I thought I would have to get them paid off quickly. My sweet husband never even complains. Maybe it's because I tell him that my student loans are the price I had to pay in order to meet him. :) I never would have met him had I not decided to go to law school.
All that being said, I wouldn't change a thing if I had the chance. If I could rewind five years, I still would have gone to law school and I still would have made the decision to spend my time with my little boy afterwards. I know that's not the right choice for everyone, but it was for me. I know this time is fleeting and so precious, and I don't want to miss out. I'm so blessed that I get to stay home with Jackson, and someday, when Jackson's all grown-up, I'm sure I can raise that ROI. But, for now, the investment I care most about is the time I get to spend with my baby boy.
