My first professional dream was to become a veterinarian. This started probably around age 5 or 6 when I got my first pet, a rabbit named Ebony. I thought he was the greatest thing ever and wanted to take care of him at all times (except when it was time to feed him... brush him.... give him water... clean up his cage... ).

I had always loved animals, and at that young age, it seemed the perfect goal in life to care for people's pets and loved critters. But as I grew up and was more exposed to the world of biology and the medical industry, I quickly realized I did not have the stomach for surgery and caring for the sick, nor could I ever put someone's animal down. That dream was abandoned not too much later.

As for my romantic ambitions? I vividly remember a fight I had with my father when I was a child. I got really angry and finally proclaimed that I could not wait to grow up and get married to my kindergarten crush and run away on a red motorcycle together.

Like many fights at that age, I quickly regretted my words and went to school feeling crummy about it, so during our arts and crafts time I made him a card with some cute but messypicture on the front, and inscribed on the inside in crayon, a short and simple message:

"I'm sorry Dad. I promise I won't get married until I am 26. I love you."

What can I say? In kindergarten, that probably seemed like a terrifically long time and a huge promise! My Dad still sometimes jokes about holding me to it today.