October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (as if you didn’t know), and you may be seeing pink everywhere.

I never liked the color pink. I’m not sure why; I’ve just never been a fan of it. When my daughter was born, she had a patriotic-themed room with no pink in it. The only pink clothes she had were gifts from other people. I never bought her anything pink.

I didn’t like the color pink.

Then, I was diagnosed with breast cancer more than four years ago. I’ve battled breast cancer twice now and am still currently going through treatment. Once the initial shock of my first diagnosis calmed down, my first thought was, “Now I have to wear pink, don’t I?”

I now have a whole drawer full of pink jewelry.

My house contains pink shirts in all different youth and adult sizes.

My son even proudly wears a shirt that reads, “I Wear Pink For My Mom.”

I own lots of pink decorations and even have pink rose bushes that my wonderful husband planted for me.

Pink is more than a color for me. It’s a symbol of strength, support, and hope. 

I am honored when someone sends me a pink gift or posts a photo of themselves wearing pink in my honor.

When I see pink, I think of all of the love and support that our family has had through both of my battles with breast cancer.

Pink serves a purpose for me now. It’s more than just a color; it makes people think.

I share my story of my breast cancer battles every chance I get.

I don’t share them to get attention or have people feel sorry for me.

I don’t share my story to have people call me brave.

I don’t share my story to scare people.

I share it so people realize how quickly cancer can invade their lives.

Five years ago, I never imagined that I would be a two-time breast cancer survivor. I was an Army spouse, a mother, and a teacher. I had enough uncertainty and challenges in my life.

But, here I am now covered in scars from surgery and radiation.

Here I am, waiting for my hair to grow back after going through chemotherapy for a second time.

Here I am, feeling stronger and more loved than I ever could have imagined.

The greatest honor for me as a survivor is when someone tells me that they went to their doctor because of my story. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I have been through.

Take care of yourself and when you notice something different about your body, tell your doctor. Your family needs you to be healthy. Your service member depends on you to take care of things at home. Our country needs our military families to be strong.

I hope you wear some pink this month, not for me but for you.

I hope you hear my story and take care of your health, and more than anything, I hope we find a cure and that pink becomes just another color again someday.