“Be nothing to become something”

Junior year of high school, I saw James Franco beat Tyrese’s Ass and get the upperclassmen girl at the Naval Academy. I loved how he went to his senator fifty times, how his friends tallied up how many days before he quit, and how he found a way to believe in himself. As soon as “Annapolis” movie ended, I got down, barely did ten pushups and told my parents I’m going to the Air Force Academy.

Once I decided, you can say beginners luck hit. My parents supported me. My teachers said that is awesome! My friends told me how awesome that is and said I could do it. Thus, I started the application process: https://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/the-application-process/application-steps/.

I completed all the requirements, and I submitted my application. I felt confident and felt pretty good about my chances. Around May, my Dad asks me, “I want you to send an email to the Academy Admissions office. All my friends’ kids received their acceptance letters. How come you didn’t?” Asian parents know the ins and outs or EVERYONE kids. I told my dad not to worry but to be honest…I started to worry.

I sent my first email to West Point. I did not care if I was not accepted there since Air Force Academy was my primary goal. Couple days later, I get an email from an Army Colonel.

The first line read: “Danny, I sincerely apologize, but you’ve been waitlisted….” From there the whole letter blurred out. I told my parents and friends and the doubts started creeping in. And then, the worst thing happened, I started to doubt myself. The images of one of the interviewers for nomination throwing my transcript at me and saying I am not good enough, my guidance counselor telling me that I should consider other options, and my parents telling me that I have to attend community college since they had no money…..

I felt like I was nothing.

After playing basketball one day, my friend gives me a book that his mom told me to read. He told me to read it and summarize it to him so he can tell his mom. The book was called Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. To sum the book up, it talked about having faith in God but also yourself. To believe that all things are possible and not to ask God but thank him for the things you want for already happening.

From that point on, I told myself even though the whole world is against me and doubts me, I control my own thoughts and beliefs. From there one of my main mottos for life was creates:

“My belief is stronger than your doubts”

That night, I cut out a brochure from the Admissions package and pasted my face on the Cadet’s face saluting in front of the Chapel. Every day I visualized myself in that uniform, that blue and white, with the white gloves, saluting. Every day, I thanked God, not asked him, for allowing me to go into the Air Force Academy.

Until one day…one Friday afternoon…after school I opened my mailbox. There was a large white envelope that read “Air Force Academy Admissions.” I didn’t open it. I called my parents and told them “Hey, I got in.” My dad started yelling at his customer who came to pick up his clothes in Korean and English. I told them ill see them later tonight and I walked into my house. No one was home.

I still did not open the letter. I put it on the dining table, and I got on my knees in front of the cross I knelt before every day. I said…. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” Words I’ve said every morning, every day after school and every night. At that moment, I couldn’t move my body and I was in a trance of gratefulness.

I opened the envelope, and it read:

“Congratulations, Mr. Danny Kim

You have been accepted into the Air Force Academy.”

That night (Love how it was a Power Friday at my church where I used to pray every night), I went to church. Power Fridays were more of hangout for high school kids but for me I always went to repeat the same prayer. News spread fast. Friends congratulated me and it felt good. But the most memorable moment was, around midnight, my mom knocked on my door. She said that my dad was fast asleep. She whispered, “That is the first time I saw your dad cry. First time.”

I went to bed, closed my eyes, and uttered the same words I said hundred times that day…. “Thank you.”

I started to become something.

To be continued…..

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