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A Collision of Culture
My cultural roots were firmly planted in the fertile soil of East Texas when the cultures of my mother and father collided. My father grew up in a traditional home with his father, a retired United States Air Force mechanic, and mother, a Japanese immigrant. My mother, who grew up in a non-traditional home with her father and step-mother, was born and raised on the family farm in Styx, Texas. A new culture was born through their union.
Figure 1: James and Shelia Love wedding (unknown 1985) -
The Game Changer
I came into this world a mere six months after my parents wed. My mother (17) and my father (19) would assume the role of teen parents and fight the social stigmas of a conservative and religious small town. My parents, now married for 32 years, defied the odds that their marriage would inevitably fail. My parents were selfless; they gave up so much for me. And though the situation was less than conventional, they pushed through.
Figure 2: Before prom (unknown 1986) -
Self Identity... Chinese? Japanese? Dirty Knees?
My Japanese descent was much more prevalent in my younger years, and to be honest, I didn't like being different. I wanted nothing more but to have blonde hair and blue eyes. In retrospect, I am so very grateful for my paternal grandmother who introduced me to my Japanese culture. She taught my the Japanese alphabet, how to use chopsticks like a champ, and established my love for green tea. My Japanese culture has been firmly and deeply rooted.
Figure 3: Candice at age 5 (Studio 35, 1990) -
Sibling Love
The culture of our family changed significantly with the birth of my one and only sibling, Colton Love. Considering the fact that I had been an only child for nine years, there was speculation that I would be jealous upon the arrival of my new brother. Instead, I was instinctively protective and maternal. Sibling culture is learning to love someone, despite your differences, and always finding common ground (which usually meant defying our parents).
Figure 4: Reynolds wedding (unknown, 2007) -
Death & Grief
The summer before 7th grade, my paternal grandfather was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The diagnosis came in early July, and by the middle of August he was gone. Death is the antithesis to life and as long as there is life, there is death. This loss taught me how to grieve and how to overcome and move forward. In addition, it solidified what I had already known about my family: we could overcome anything, including the loss of a patriarch.
Figure 5: Colton and Papa Love (unknown, 1995) -
High School... The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
High school was full of unhealthy relationships. Remember that maternal instinct I developed with the birth of my brother? I had that same maternal instinct in relationships; I wanted to save people. Instead, I was cheated on and verbally abused. I also had this idea that I had to marry my high school sweetheart (like my parents). It's difficult to break that mold of what we think we should be. Luckily, God had other plans for me.
Figure 6: Coach Hatch's class (unknown 2003) -
Relocating My Roots
I grew up on the same fifty acres of land on the family farm that my mother grew up on. The "country life" revolves around family, faith, and football. No one outside of my extended immediate family on my mother's side had attended college. In fact, contentment is common in the "country life" culture. But, I wanted more. In May of 2005, I packed up and headed for Huntsville to start my last two years of college. Looking back in the rearview mirror, this was my view of all I had ever known. -
Planting New Roots: Married with Children
In Huntsville, I met my future husband, Murphy. We married in 2007. In 2011, we welcomed our first child, Paislee, and completed our family in 2014 with the birth of our son, McCoy. My children live on 20 acres land with their next door neighbors being their paternal grandparents, aunts, and uncles. My children's roots are very similar to my own. While their dirt road is different from mine, the upbringing and family values are the same.
Figure 7: Easter (unknown 2016) -
The Classroom Culture
Teaching is a life-changing profession. I am certain that I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for the diverse, yet oh so meaningful relationships I've formed throughout the years in the classroom. In a strange sense, teaching has made me a better parent: to be slow to anger and quick to love. To be humble, to be kind, to be open-minded and sensitive to others' feelings. To love unconditionally, and sometimes, to love the unloveable.
Figure 8: my classroom culture (unknown 2014) -
Traditions Worth Repeating
It is essential that I teach my children, who are 1/8th Japanese, about their Japanese heritage. Nonetheless, living a slower-paced life in the country, teaching our children work ethic, values, respect, honor, and tradition is important as well. However, the most meaningful tradition worth repeating is family mission work. Working for the Lord, amongst the company of family, is the most important work my children will ever do.
Figure 9: Reynolds family missions (unknown 2016)
