10 Years ago this month, we made the trip to MCRD Parris Island to watch our oldest son graduate from boot camp.

He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father and became a Marine. To say we were and are proud is an understatement.

It wasn’t our first time aboard this legendary base. We had lived on PI for 2 ½ years from 2008-2010. We had attended many graduations and were completely ready for the humidity and high temps that August brings to the island. But there is just something different when it’s your kid.

Unfortunately, my husband couldn’t attend, as he was stationed in Korea. It was up to me to organize and direct all the friends and family that descended on the “low country” for the celebration.

We were excited to attend family day and were able to show our guests around the base and spend the day with our Marine on Thursday before the graduation on Friday. One of the treats was getting to go into their barracks and see where they had lived for the last 13 weeks.

While in the barracks, one of Kevin’s Drill Instructors came up to me and began a conversation. It went something like this:

DI: Which Marine belongs to you?                                                                                         

Me: Lil' Kevin (that’s what we call him- long story)                                                             

DI: Lil' Kevin? I wish I had known that 13 weeks ago. Well, we didn’t have any trouble out of Lil’ Kevin, and he is going to be a great Marine.                                                               

Me: I imagine you didn't!                                                                                                       

DI: What do you mean?                                                                                                       

Me: Listen, I ran a really tight ship- this wasn’t his first rodeo.                                                

DI: (at the top of his lungs) LIL’KEVIN!!!                                                                              

Private DeWitt: (running to the DI, snapping to attention) Yes, Drill Instructor!                    

DI: Who are you more afraid of, me or your mom?                                                                

Private DeWitt: (momentary pause) It's a tie Drill Instructor                                                 

DI: (laughs out loud- pats him on the arm) Dismissed Marine!

He graduated the next day. We celebrated and he spent the next 3.5 years in the Marine Corps Reserve.

He now serves his community as a police officer. And yes, I still call him ‘Lil Kevin! 

We would love to hear your “proud mom” story- send it to us at shop@nomadescollection.com