After years on maternity leave, raising our three children back-to-back, I was finally ready to do something for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I adore being a mom \u2014 I really do \u2014 but there comes a point when you crave something beyond sticky fingers and school runs. I wanted to rediscover the version of me that had dreams, ambition, and a vision for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bit by bit, through part-time gigs and relentless budgeting, I built a college fund \u2014 not just for a degree, but for my independence. It was my way to reclaim a sense of purpose, and eventually help provide more for our family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or so I thought\u2026 until one afternoon, I overheard my husband, Mark, on the phone with his buddy, Derek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMan, your wife is impressive,\u201d Derek said. \u201cNina told me Maya\u2019s going back to school \u2014 that\u2019s so inspiring!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark let out a laugh. \u201cYeah, right. You think I\u2019d let her waste that money on college? I already ordered a new TV and a PS5 with it. Should be here tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stood frozen in the hallway.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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