From Teenage Runaway to Reinvention

A Life I Never Expected to Build

Feb 26, 2025

“I was a teenage runaway who built a life against all odds.”

Most people assume I followed the usual path—school, college, career, stability.

But by 21, I had already spent five years on my own, dropped out of school (kind of), gotten married, divorced, and built a career from scratch.

Looking back, I see resilience. But at the time? I was just surviving.

What I didn’t realize then—but am deeply grateful for now—were the decisions, the people, and the moments that kept me moving forward, even when I didn’t see it at the time.

Growing Up Too Fast

I started running away from home when I was 15 years old. As a latchkey kid with a seldom-seen single dad in the ‘80s, I learned self-reliance early. So when rules were suddenly imposed, I balked—I already knew I could take care of myself. I was fully out of the house before my 17^th birthday, bouncing from boyfriend to boyfriend in search of stability, but still making (and paying) my way. Two decisions helped to pave the way for a better life.

The first was when I stayed in school (initially). I was lucky to have an assistant vice principal to help guide me in these unusual circumstances. I also had a job through the high school work study program.

As I juggled school and work, it became clear that I wouldn’t graduate on time. So I found a solution—I took my GED in May of my junior year. The craziest part? I still finished out the school year, mostly because of that job. But still. That single decision, to earn my GED, is one I’m most grateful for in my life. I thought my GED was a shortcut, but it was actually a springboard to propel me to a better life. It gave me an opportunity to begin college and my “adult life” without delay.

Chasing Stability, Finding Myself

By 19, I was married and settled into work and community college classes. I did okay in my accounting courses and quickly worked my way up to become the regional accountant for seven hotel franchises across three states. The money I was making was good for my age (equivalent to $41,400 today), and I was living an adult life. I couldn’t legally visit bars yet, but other than that, I had everything I thought I needed.

1989 Wedding with my Maid of Honor, Amy. Can you say “Aquanet?”

I struggled in community college. I wasn’t a great student, and after earning a D in English, I convinced myself I didn’t need school—my paycheck seemed good enough. So, one quarter, I just didn’t re-enroll. I’m grateful that education isn’t a ‘one-shot’ deal. I would later complete a bachelor’s degree, but I wasn’t ready at that time. Apparently, I wasn’t ready for marriage either as we separated before I turned 21.

Losing My Way, Finding It Again

The next several years were a blur. I had a nice apartment of my own but followed in my father’s footsteps, spending too much time in the taverns. So much so that I took a second job at my favorite one—just to afford my habit.

There wasn’t much growth in those years. It felt like they stretched on forever, but in reality, I was settled and remarried by 25. This marriage would last a bit longer.

During this marriage, my drinking slowed, and my life became more stable. It was then that I realized it was time to restart my education. My earning power no longer outpaced my peers, and I wanted more than what my accounting credits could offer.

Grateful that education doesn’t have to be a linear path, I enrolled in a nights-and-weekends program at the local four-year college—Go Geoducks! I focused on IT Management, knowing I was ready for something beyond financial analysis.

I’m proud to say I became the first college graduate in my family. It took me 32 years, but I did it. I had finally found my place on the path, where I could move forward alongside my peers. Over the next several years, I worked in IT as a project manager, program manager, and business analyst.

Getting divorced at 38 and sober at 45 put me in lockstep with so many others navigating midlife changes. But at 49, I made a choice few do—I packed up and moved cross-country to New York City. Most who land here are much younger, but for me, waiting until I was both sober and financially secure made all the difference.

Looking Back, Seeing Clearly

I’ve always struggled to see my own life clearly. I can analyze a business problem, break down a process, or help someone else reflect on their own experiences—but when it comes to my own story? I tend to shrug it off.

Writing this, I realized something—I needed help to see my own resilience. In full transparency, I’ve asked ChatGPT for a little extra assistance with this section.

I thought I was just making the best choices I could at the time. I thought I was just surviving. But survival is resilience. So is trying again after failure. So is saying, “I want more,” and going after it.

It’s strange—I don’t usually get emotional about my own past. But sitting with this, putting these words down, and seeing ChatGPT reflect my resilience back to me, I feel something I didn’t expect—grief and pride at the same time. Grief for the younger version of me who had to navigate so much alone. Pride for the person I became anyway.

And gratitude—for the people who saw me when I couldn’t see myself. For the teachers, bosses, and friends who offered a hand when I needed it most. For the moments of clarity that pushed me forward, even when I didn’t recognize them at the time.

Looking at my journey laid out like this, I’m overwhelmed—by the memories, by just how far I’ve come. I can finally admit that I wasn’t as self-reliant as I once believed. People like Mr. Chorba, Barbara Vane, and Sharon Wills weren’t just there; they were lifelines, guiding me forward when I couldn’t see the path myself.

I now understand why leaving corporate America to Align & Thrive in my own way feels like the right choice. This is what resilience looks like for me. I’m sharing this because I know I’m not the only one who struggles to see their own strength. Maybe you do too.

Now I want to hear from you… If you could see your life through someone else’s eyes, what strengths would stand out—the ones you may have overlooked? How can they help you move forward today?

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