I officially became a United States citizen!

Today, I experienced something life-changing. I officially became a United States Citizen! 🇺🇸✨
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​My path to citizenship and my career as a graphic designer are so interconnected. I came to the United States 20 years ago because my parents urged me to come here for college. I didn’t want to do it because I didn’t want to leave my boyfriend behind in Mexico.
 
Luckily, I followed their advice and enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso (ok, THEY did all the paperwork and convincing). 🙈
 
At first, they weren’t thrilled that I was studying graphic design because they were convinced I would starve. So I put my head down and did the work so I could prove them wrong. 😄
 
One day, someone from Scripps Network came to speak to my Communication class. I was the only student to approach her afterward to ask for her card that lead to later ask for an internship opportunity and they said yes! 🙌🏼  After the internship at their headquarters in Knoxville, TN was done, I asked for a permanent job and they created one for me. They even sponsored my immigration. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today – on so many levels! 🙏🏼
 
I learned that if you want something for yourself, you have to ask for it.
 
I don’t know what I’m going to do with all my free time now that I’m not studying for the naturalization test. I studied my notes so much I could probably rewrite them from memory.
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​I’m so grateful to be on the other side of this process and have this stability for myself and my son. Of course, he doesn’t fully appreciate what this means, but someday he will.
 
There’s no real “business” purpose for this email but you have supported me both as a designer and as a human, so I wanted to share my amazing news with you! 🤗
 
Now… I just have to decide how I want to celebrate. We'll start with burgers 🍔 but if you have any other ideas, please share them with me! 🇺🇸
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