There's this weird thing that happened in 2017 that I didn't expect as a parent - there were a few events that occurred where I *knew* that what was happening would alter Alexis' path in life. It wasn't that there were a bunch of bad things that happened, it was more that she experienced things that opened her eyes to opportunities.
There were a bunch of them, but two stand out.
The first was in January.
A long time ago, Alexis looked up the word "feminist" in the dictionary. I encouraged her to do so because she was hurt when someone she cared about threw the word around like an insult. I thought it was important that she see for herself what the word actually means. The end result was that the wound cut deeper, but the scar from the wound grew stronger.
She now proudly declares herself a feminist and will challenge anyone who thinks that's a bad thing.
A big part of that scar becoming thick and powerful was the Women's March. Being surrounded by thousands of people who knew that dictionary definition and believed in it was an experience Alexis won't ever forget.
I don't know what she'll do with it, but she definitely chose a path after that day.
The other event that changed the course of things was our quick trip to Las Vegas for a cheer competition.
While the competition was a good experience, that's not what presented Alexis with a new path. It was the travel. That was the trip that made Alexis realize that she wants to see All of the Places. She already knew she loved New York City, but now she wants to see every major city everywhere. There was a moment when she realized it's a big world out there and she wants to see it all for herself.
Earlier today, Alexis and Mila were sitting on the couch planning their trip to China. Alexis has decided to learn to speak Chinese (and is using YouTube videos to do it) to prepare. They've got a few decades until they can venture off on their own, but I have no doubt that they will.
Alexis is 20 steps past the fork in the road, well along her path.