The year was 2017. I handed in my resignation in early June, stepping away from my non-technical government position after 8 very long years. At the end of June, I hopped in my car with my two small children. We drove to Northern Minnesota to be with family and to finalize plans for a move to Salt Lake City.
On a Saturday evening in late July, we pulled in to the garage of our new house. The next three years would be pivotal in my life. My wife at the time had accepted a position that allowed me to become a stay-at-home dad and take a long fresh breath of air. I was 30 years old when I moved to Utah; it's a strange age at which to sit down and try and figure out what to do with your life.
Almost exactly one year later, in July of 2018, tragedy hit my extended family when my Grandmother passed away. I was thankful to be with her during her last days and to say goodbye. Soon after she passed, I was given a portion of inheritance that turned out to be enough for me to invest in a new computer. My goal: to become a developer.
I had spent almost a year going back and forth on my future professional plans. Before leaving Chicago I had considered bootcamps or even completing another degree. But when my new machine showed up, my plans were solidified. I decided that I would take as much time as it required to teach myself. I wanted to be a developer.
Now, in August 2023, I want to start another journey. One of reflection, and hopefully one of inspiration for others who are a bit earlier on. My path may look immensely different, or it might be strangely similar. But it's the sharing that matters... that helps build the community. I've benefited greatly from others in this vast yet tight-knit community. And now, it's time to begin an attempt at giving back.
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