This is NOT a Drill 🔥

I want yall to understand that graduating college is a HUGE deal for me. Yes, I know, I know, it’s a huge deal for everyone — but my journey to get here has been a tough one. I’m about to celebrate this from now until I get tired. I graduate in FOUR months and from now until then? It’s gone be my reason for a shot 🤣 I mean shit, I take shots for being alive, I never gave af. LOL. BUT now?? “I’m finna graduate yall lets take a shot” will be said randomly and can’t nobody deny a graduation shot, right!?

But in all seriousness (I was very serious about what I just said btw)… this journey has been rough.

I started earning college credits when I was in 12th grade taking college English and English 4 at the same time. This was a little over 10 years ago now. So it took me 10 years to finish a degree that I thought I would finish in 4. A year after graduating high school I got pregnant with my first child and dropped out of my college classes. I didn’t really think I’d go back. I tried to go for a certification — something that would “bring me more money” but I wasn’t really happy doing. So I went to school to be a Medical Assistant and I passed, worked at a few clinics. I loved it, but it wasn’t where I was truly meant to be.

I knew where my heart really was… so in 2020 I decided to go back to school and pursue my degree… again. The following year, yep… of course… little miss fertile was pregnant again. I wasn’t going to use that as an excuse — moreso of motivation. However, I wasn’t expecting my pregnancy to be so rough. I developed gestational diabetes, was hospitalized for days with COVID, and then I developed pubic symphysis separation. Needless to say, I was put on bed rest and I couldn’t do anything. I dropped out again and was able to get a medical excuse which meant I was able to pick back up at any time. But truthfully? It discouraged me more than ever. This was now the second time that I dropped out of college and for a while I swore I wouldn’t pick it back up.

I was over it. I was over college. I was over trying to get a degree. I was over trying to further my education. Once I had my daughter I found a job that I figured was a great place to work and move up. The pay was great and I was like you know what? I’m just gonna ride this out, move up, forget my degree, and it is what it is.

But my heart? Man, my damn heart… it wanted that degree… BAD. But it wasn’t until I was pregnant with my third child that I said this is the time — it’s now or never. What’s funny is, I was dead set in the middle of a crippling depression. I was on maternity leave early because I had developed pubic symphysis separation again, I was broke, sad, upset at my life, and just done. I felt like a failure. Here I was, three children in, no career, no path, no money, nothing. Just a dream to be a writer.

I will never forget we were in the middle of a drought that summer. It was disgustingly hot outside. Our apartment felt like a furnace even with the air on and multiple fans going. I was sitting with my daughter Jazzy watching the Real Housewives for whatever reason, sweating my ass off, eating snacks and I don’t know what it was about that moment… but I was like you know what… I’m gonna go back to school. I didn’t know how I was gonna do it with three kids while trying to manage my depression. But I figured, why not add one more thing to my already full plate.

I called my school and enrolled. I told myself this time was going to be the last. I made that promise to myself… and I don’t break promises to myself.

I was 7 months pregnant, back in school, and figuring it all out.

I even submitted a paper while in the hospital after my THIRD c section. Sitting there in a postpartum diaper at 3 am holding my babygirl. I felt powerful.

I didn’t stop.

I didn’t drop out.

From the end of 2023 up until now… I have handled working a full time job, taking care of my three kids, going to school full time, being a blogger, and more. I even put out my first book in March of this year. I told myself it would be awesome if I put a book out before I graduated with my English Degree.

To be able to say I’m a published author and NOW I’m also an English graduate!! Like???? Come on now. That shit is so cool man.

Before I entered into this year I let go of so many things and I told myself this year??? Was going to be my year. I usually stray away from saying that… but I needed that. I needed that boost. I managed publishing a book, getting married, moving back to Louisiana, securing a good job, and graduation in the same year.

YALL HAVE NO IDEA.

I’m tearing up as I’m writing this.

Because yall have NO IDEA… how worried I was. I kept saying how the FUCK am I going to do all of this in the same year!!??!? But let me tell you, when Marie is determined? Anything goes.

I did it.

I freaking did it.

I cannot wait to share my graduation pictures with you guys in December and how amazing that week will be. My family will be here celebrating me for almost a week. We’re gonna get great food, get drunk, have the time of our lives, and I am so looking forward to that.

I want you to always know that you can do anything you put your mind to. I know that sounds cliche as hell but I am so damn serious right now. If you are determined, if you really want it… I mean REALLY want it? You can do it.

And me? I really wanted all of it. So I did it.

I’ll be stepping into my 30s next year published, degreed, and thriving.

This is only the beginning.

So cheers to me, your favorite writer, and a first generation college graduate. 🥂

See you soon. ✨