Overcoming Poverty

My husband and I both grew up in poverty.  Although our stories are very different, they are very similar as well.  My mother was a single parent and worked very hard to try and make ends meet although most times we struggled even to the point of not always having enough food to eat.  I overcame poverty by getting a job at the age of 14 to try and help my mom and making the tough decision to join the US Army after graduating high school in order to prevent my mother from having to pay for me to go to college.  I celebrated my 18th birthday while in Basic Training (boot camp) and served for 6 years.  My military experience was amazing.  I learned so many things such as discipline, team building and most importantly a skill that afforded me the opportunity to obtain a job after leaving the army earning a salary that was more than enough to make sound investments and along with my husband, provide a great home for our family.  I have been very fortunate to remove myself from poverty by getting a good education and maintaining skills that help make a good salary.
My husband's mother was also a single parent however, she passed away when he was only 11 years old.  He has never known his father which meant that he had to live with his older siblings until he was old enough to make the tough decision to also join the US Army.  We met and together have overcome the cycle of poverty.