#BearsOfBaylor — “[Dad] didn’t buy a ring for himself…”

“Ever since I was a child, my parents have been my heroes… They put themselves through Baylor while working full-time and being full-time students. They had to find ways to save money by getting by with less… They shared a car, didn’t eat out, stuff like that. When my oldest sister was born, they coordinated their work and class schedules so one of them could aways have her with them. My parents weren’t handed anything, they worked so hard to make their dreams happen.

“When my mama graduated from Baylor, my dad surprised her with a Baylor ring. He had to save for a really long time to be able to afford it, but it was worth it ’cause it’s so special to her, and it was such a special moment for both of them… [But] when my dad graduated from Baylor Law School, he didn’t buy a ring for himself, because he couldn’t justify spending that much money on himself.

“I have three siblings, and Dad bought us each a Baylor ring for our graduations. This year, Mama decided it was time for Dad to have his own Baylor ring.

“At the Baylor Homecoming football game, we all got together during halftime. Mama talked about how Dad had supported us all — all the sacrifices he made along the way to put each of us through Baylor, and how he bought us a Baylor ring because he wanted to celebrate our accomplishments. Then she told him it was our turn to celebrate him and handed him the ring box.

“His face was so priceless when he opened it and saw the ring. It was such a special moment to have us all there for Dad and to show him how much everything he has done for us means to us.

“My parents have shown me time after time that I can achieve anything I set my mind to accomplish. They are definitely my biggest supporters and constant encouragers. Every day they show me through their own lives what it looks like to live selflessly and love without limits, and the importance of trusting God in all situations. They molded me and shaped me into the person I am today, and I couldn’t be more thankful for them!”

[Every Baylor Bear has a story; #BearsOfBaylor brings those stories to you, one by one. These stories, these people… This is our Baylor.]