One of the key moments marking my independence happened for me when I was just a little girl. When I was younger, my uncle Dave had a big celebration each year for the Fourth of July; he would have fireworks , games, food, and the whole family would come! The year after my stepmom Holly had met my dad, she came to the celebration and was in charge of watching me. I was only three, but I certainly had a mind of my own. My favorite color was purple, so I naturally wanted to wear all purple. Holly let me dress myself that day, so I picked out my best purple attire. I selected purple plaid tights, a purple wool skirt, a purple turtleneck sweater, and sparkly purple flats. I thought I looked like one of Hollywood’s newest stars, and there was no way I was changing. I stepped outside to model my look to Holly, who apparently didn’t think it was as great as I did. She gasped in what should’ve been amazement, but seemed more like horror.

“Oh no! You can’t wear that Sissy! Let’s go back inside and pick out something a little less insulated before you have a heat stroke...”
She meant it in the kindest way possible, and I understand that now. I was overtaken by emotion. I was upset that I couldn’t wear my purple outfit, and so angry that she had told me no. I kicked and screamed the entire time she carried me down the hallway. She tried her hardest to comfort me, but I wasn’t going to have somebody telling me what to wear.

She sat me up against some pillows as I continued to wail. I explained in deep detail like most toddlers do, although I doubt she could understand most of it, why it wasn’t fair that I couldn’t wear my purple clothes and how I promised I wouldn’t get too hot. After lots of crying and bribing-mostly crying- she came to her senses. I was allowed to wear it as long as I pinky promised to be good all night. Of course I took her up on this offer, and we crossed pinkies.

The later it got, the more I started to realize Holly’s point of view. It wasn’t just a little warm, it was HOT. Maybe the turtleneck sweater wasn’t my best idea, after all. I was sweating by five o’clock and the party didn’t end for another three hours. I couldn’t tell if it was worth it to make my own decision or not yet. I knew I was proud to get to be independent but I didn’t know it would come at this cost. By the end of the night I was exhausted. I had too much pride to ask Holly if I could change my clothes, even though I would’ve felt much better if I had.
As I’m sure this wasn’t the first time I had wanted to be independent, it’s definitely one of the more memorable events. Although I was extremely uncomfortable that entire night, I got to make my own decision, and that’s all that mattered to me. I think I have accepted the fact that I am one of those people who want to be more independent rather well. I wouldn’t want to be dependent on anybody else anyways because you never know what could happen.