Some things never really change. One thing in my life that has always, and fortunately been a constant is the never ending support from my family, especially my dad. I am my mother made over, but I have my dad’s mentality, which is not a bad thing, because he is the strongest, and most hard working person I have ever met. I remember being little and not seeing much of him because he was always working. I never thought twice about it, but I know now he did this so he could provide us with everything we needed or even wanted.

He is my role model when it comes to my career because he has shown me the kind of work ethic it takes to become successful. He started his own car business when I was in eighth grade. I remember the struggle he overcame in the beginning, and now he is so successful, and continuing to work harder than ever.

My dad has always basically been a badass, at least in my eyes. One of my favorite stories my mom would always tell me, was how she would always watch his boxing matches. He was even the state champion, (see total badass, and quite possibly a reason I didn’t date much in high school.) I asked my dad once, when and why he ended his boxing career. I always thought it was because of the match when he shattered his ankle after getting it caught under the boxing mat, but then he told me the year he quit was in 1989, the year I was born.

I felt a little guilty when he told me this, but I have such wonderful and fond memories growing up, like when he called my mom on a whim and told her to bring me to his office at work. When I walked in he had the Pocahontas Barbie doll sitting on his desk that I had been begging for incessantly.

One night, when helping mom clean out her bedroom closet before I left for college, we found a bunch of my parent’s belongings in a storage box. I found a black and orange jacket and when I pulled it out it said “City Destroyers Boxing” on the back and on the front left side the words, “Sparkman, the Hammer” were stitched. After laughing at my dad’s boxing nickname, I was so happy to find a piece of my dad’s past. This jacket is what my mom would wear as she watched my dad box and prayed for his safety. I remember asking my dad if I could have this piece of nostalgia and prayed that he would say yes. I took it to college with me and I’ve had it ever since. I love wearing it and having people ask me this jacket. I still laugh at his nickname, but then I get to brag about how awesome my dad was, and still is today.

Steal my look: LA Hearts romper: Pacsun, Boxing jacket (my dads, so one of a kind, sorry not sorry)