Happy Military Monday! I am so honored to introduce you to my friend Jane Horton. She is a rock-a true Strong Chick. I am in awe of her. She is amazing and wise beyond her years. She is a very accomplished woman and I know great things are in store for her and she will help many people. Here’s her story.

On September 9, 2011, my life Was forever changed. The love of my life,  my hero,my protector, and my partner was killed in Afghanistan. SPC Christopher Horton was only 26 years old. That night, that lonely Friday night where I sat in my room alone trying to process everything, I quickly realized
I had to sink or swim. I wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball and cry for the rest my life, but I knew that wasn’t an option, it was up  to me to make that decision, and I chose to swim.
Well, little did I know that I would be swimming and swimming for weeks months and even years to come. You never can stop swimming, or you’ll drown. The tide and the constant flow of water will take you under if you succumb to its power. Each of us has own trials, and each of us has our own battles to fight. It’s up to us whether were going to pick up our weapon and find valiantly, or succumb to the enemy. When I married my husband, I had no doubts about us; I knew that we are meant to be together. If we were so meant to be together, why would my husband be taken away so soon? God has more plans for my life, and I am ready and willing to take on a full life and finish all my time on this earth.

Being a strong chick doesn’t mean that I’m made of steel. It doesn’t mean that I’m a brick wall  that nothing can knock down or penetrate. Being a strong chick also means that you’re willing to be vulnerable, and let your true colors and your true self show. It’s letting the world see who you really are instead of putting up a front. It’s never giving up, never letting go, and eyes fighting hard to the finish. True strength comes in and letting our weaknesses show, and even when we know that we are tired from battle,  we put on our brave face and we step out into the day.
You don’t really learn what you’re made of of until every part of your being is tested. That’s when you really realize who you are and how much you can handle. Each of us has it within us to fight and overcome our challenges-  And that’s what makes us all strong chicks. No matter what you’re going through, no matter what trial or tribulation, there is always hope. Each trial may makes us stronger, gives us more endurance, and make us more proud when we look back on all we have overcome. Each of us is a strong chick and I encourage each and every one of you to never give up the fight. No matter how long the night, the dawn will always break.

PS-(this is Debbie). Jane is one of our founding Strong Chicks. We asked her to choose a charity that she would want us to donate to when people bought strong chick items from Happy First. (People can choose their military charity upon purchase on the site). Jane chose AmericanSnipers.org and this is why (in Jane’s words): 

I picked Americansnipers.org because many brave warriors train extremely hard for one of the Army’s toughest schools- Army Sniper school. Although many claim to be a sniper, there are few who have actually passed sniper school and carry their b-4 identifier. On top of that, few actually deploy as combat snipers. With the military budget as strained as it is, many snipers are deploying without the proper equipment they need in order to do their job. Not only this, but sniper equipment is very expensive and vital. This organization helps our country’s elite fighting forces purchase the equipment they need in order to safely take out the enemy and complete their mission. Snipers are one of the most vital assests the military has- they are cost efficient and much more accurate than the average infantryman.

PS again! You can order a Chris Horton memorial bracelet at Hortonbracelet.com .