Let’s be honest. I was hesitant in the beginning about getting the vaccine. The vaccine is so new and the long term side effects are unknown. It can be a little scary. After much thought and watching my peers receive the vaccine with ease, I decided that I am ready! I trust in the science behind the vaccine and without it, the virus will only take more of my time away from the people I miss and love. January 2020, my boyfriend moved back to the states after being stationed in Italy with the Airforce. After 2 years of a long distance relationship, 2020 was the year I was going to finally meet the woman who raised my boyfriend to be such a great man, his mother. COVID struck, so we did the responsible thing and kept postponing visiting his family to keep everyone safe. Unfortunately, we lost his mother right before Thanksgiving. I am getting the vaccine because not only do I want to be healthy and protect everyone around me, but I also want to have the chance to continue making new memories with those who matter most to me. I want to be a part of something that helps get rid of this virus and get us all back to our “old normal!”

-Miranda Clark