Proud

As many of you know, I was not born in the United States. I came to America in 1981 when I was 10 years old. It was a difficult change because I was extremely shy and self-conscious. At school I felt I stuck out like a sore thumb. Everyone was really kind and friendly, but wanted me to talk all of the time so they could hear my English accent. Within one year my accent was almost completely gone, and an American accent took it's place. I couldn't have been more thrilled.

Over the years we visited England often to see family and friends. I love England and think there are some beautiful, quaint places with so much history and in my mind England remained my HOME. I felt this way for years and years.

At the point when I had lived in The United States longer than I had lived in England, my feelings began to gradually change. Several years ago my dad became a United States citizen. I couldn't do it though. I liked the fact that my British Citizenship made me different and kept me attached to my homeland. Then something changed. I'm not sure the exact moment, but it was after the events of 9/11. I decided that I was indeed an American. I saw citizens doing amazing things, fighting for life and liberty. I felt proud of this country and I realized that America was now home. This was again confirmed to me on our most recent trip to England this year. I absolutely loved our time there, but I was anxious to come home.

During the Spring of 2003 I had my first interview with an immigration officer in Spokane. I had to take a test to demonstrate my knowledge of the United States system of government and history. I had taken American history in school many times, but needed a refresher. This test I was studying for I believed to be one of the most important ones I would ever take.

A few months later, in August of that same year my mom, dad, Brent and I traveled to the Courthouse in Spokane for my mom and I to be sworn in. We stood in a courtroom in front of a judge with our right arms raised and repeated The Oath of Citizenship where we promised to:

"Renounce all allegiance to any foreign Prince, potentate, State or sovereignty......

and to support and defend the constitution of the United States against enemies."

The judge reminded us that everyone living in the United States had, at some point, had ancestors who came to America. She told us that this was our time. It was a very emotional experience and now Independence Day has a whole new meaning for me.

As July 4th approaches, I consider the blessings of this country and the opportunities that I have had because my parents brought me here almost 27 years ago. We fly an American flag outside our home to remind us that we are blessed.