At the young age of 20, my parents found out they would be having a little girl. At such a young age, neither of them were prepared to take on such a task. But they had to stop their lives to bring another life into the world. My parents weren’t ready for me, but yet they were more ready than they could ever be.

They say that young parents aren’t wise enough or strong enough to handle a child at such a young age. Maybe that’s why we view young pregnancy as a mistake rather than an accomplishment, but watching my parents grow along with my growth is what has made me who I am. So, I want to explain to you the other side of what it was like to grow up under such unexpected circumstances.

Flashbacks of my childhood memories go through my mind at least once a day. My mother would tell me stories about her childhood, although she knew it wasn’t that many years ago. She would take me out into the yard and teach me how to do cartwheels. I thought it was amazing to watch my mom gracefully roll around through the yard. Sometimes she would even do them inside, but her toes would hit the ceiling fan.

My brother came along only two years after I did, so by the young age of 22, my parents had two children. But, this was no longer an unexpected circumstance, they had learned that children were a blessing. I knew this because of how much time and effort they put into making sure we enjoyed our lives. My dad would spend hours with us teaching us how to play baseball and basketball. We would have family games of HORSE and when we would play baseball they would run the bases too!

Not only were they able to play games with us physically, but they also helped us to adapt such a young and fun mindset. We always listened to the popular music and thanks to them I have always known about Disturbed, Slipknot and System of a Down. If the internet were more popular during our childhood, my brother and I would be famous for head-banging in Pizza Hut. Our pizza in one hand and laughing with the customers and staff as we jammed out to one of our favorite songs.

But, not all of our time spent together growing up was happy. My parents had their children young, so they had trouble accomplishing their goals and dreams the way that they wanted to. I’m sure that they had big plans that they had to put behind, but what they don’t realize is that we had bigger plans for them. I watched my mother mature over the years and my father as well. I have gotten to have a life with young grandparents. They tell me stories about how I didn’t like to wear shoes (I got that from my Mom) and they still play such a large role in my life.

My parents taught me that there are certain things that you should value in life. For example, they taught me to always follow my heart and adopt the pet anyway. They taught me to always value a good meal. They taught me manners, like don't eat mashed potatoes with your fingers and to respect my elders by giving them your seat when they enter the room. But more importantly, my mother taught me to always have faith and that giving up was never an option. My father taught me to always have confidence in myself and that learning was the best thing you could do with your mind.

My parents weren’t ready to have children, but I wouldn’t have asked for a different childhood experience. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for them to turn their life around before they were even completely legal, but today, I know more than I would have any other way. I learned independence, how to live every day to the fullest, and that it is possible to set up a tent in the living room.

As I scroll through my Facebook newsfeed, I see many of my peers having children at a young age, as well. I also hear many of my peers scolding them for doing such a thing. It may not be in your best interest to have a child just yet, but don’t bring them down because their life isn’t following the same path. As you all grow with your children, I wish you the best and I will be following their lives. Don’t let your youth be lost and don’t let anyone bring you down.

I mean, they've kept us alive this long, that's all that matters, right?