In December of 2009, Kandice Pritchard-Harmon embarked on a new chapter of her life: adoption. She had met her prospective parents two months prior and found herself drawn to them. Yet, the transition into this new existence was far from seamless. She was leaving behind everything and everyone she had ever known, facing the formidable challenge of starting anew. Despite the inherent struggle, Kandice held onto a crucial understanding: as a preteen, she knew that opportunities for a forever family were rare; the world of adoption typically favored babies and toddlers. If she didn't embrace this chance, another might never come.
Her new father was an active pastor, introducing Kandice to an entirely unfamiliar world of being a "Preacher's Kid." As a girl who had grown up in South Central, she found herself navigating unspoken expectations and standards she knew nothing about. The cultural shift was immense. Furthermore, her relationship with her adoptive mother proved tumultuous, a challenging dynamic as Kandice entered her turbulent teenage years while her mother was transitioning through menopause. Adding to the complexities, she had been homeschooled alongside other girls who shared similar backgrounds, and now she was thrust into public school, forced to carve out a new sense of belonging.
A Quest for Freedom: The Path to Enlistment
By the time her freshman year of college concluded, the internal and external pressures had intensified. Kandice found herself repeatedly hurt emotionally, feeling constantly sheltered by her parents. An undeniable urge to break free, to carve her own path, grew stronger with each passing day. However, her actions began to catch up with her, and she realized, with a heavy heart, that she could no longer remain at home.
In October of 2018, Kandice made a pivotal decision that would irrevocably alter the course of her life: she enlisted in the U.S. Army. This bold step marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and transformation. Since that day, she has traveled the world, witnessing both its breathtaking beauty and its harsh realities. She has forged lifelong friendships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, creating bonds that run deeper than any she had known before.
Resilience Forged: A Journey of Self-Acceptance
This year marks seven years since her enlistment, and Kandice reflects on her path with unwavering certainty: she wouldn't change it for anything in the world. Her military career has been far from easy, demanding immense resilience and pushing her beyond her perceived limits. Yet, through these challenges, she has not only built a stronger, more authentic relationship with her parents but, more importantly, a profound and healthy connection with herself.
Kandice Pritchard-Harmon's remarkable journey stands as a powerful testament to the idea that sometimes, what one perceives as the daunting "road to twilight" – fraught with challenges and uncertainties – is, in fact, the exhilarating "road to dawn," leading to unexpected beginnings, immense personal growth, and a deeper understanding of one's own strength and purpose. Her story embodies the spirit of overcoming adversity, embracing change, and ultimately finding one's true place in the world.
Credit: Kandice Pritchard-Harmon