How Star Wars Changed My Life (Yes, Really)

I know what you’re thinking: Wait… is she seriously that big of a Star Wars nerd? The answer? A proud, resounding yes. 🙋‍♀️

Star Wars didn’t just entertain me, it shaped me. It was a light in my childhood, a moral compass wrapped in lightsabers and space battles. Growing up as a first-generation kid in a hardworking immigrant family, we didn’t have much. My father, a blue-collar worker, did everything he could to give us a full life, even without the luxuries.

Travel meant piling into the station wagon for a camping trip. My first international flight didn’t happen until I was 26. And no, I didn’t know what real spaghetti tasted like until college (for the record: fish sauce is not bolognese, Mom). I even paid my way through college, not because we couldn’t talk about money, but because we simply didn’t know there was any other way. These weren’t hardships, they were the humble building blocks of my values.

And then came Star Wars.

Episodes IV–VI were my earliest crash course in storytelling, ethics, and imagination. They taught me the difference between light and dark, and that it’s okay to face darkness, as long as you keep moving toward the light. One of my favorite memories is waiting in line with my dad for the premiere of Return of the Jedi at the Winchester San Jose Cinemas (RIP).

Factoid: I once had the chance to work at Lucasfilm. I turned it down due to the low pay. (Sorry, George, Bay Area rent is no joke.) But Star Wars still found a way to keep showing up in my life.

Like at my wedding in Bavaria in 2014. We got married in a breathtaking 800-year-old Catholic Church, with an organist playing John Williams’ Star Wars score as I walked down the aisle. My mother-in-law even surprised us with a visit from Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion. They escorted our wedding party to the reception, where a live polka band played the Cantina Theme. I mean, come on. It doesn’t get better than that.

(Okay, maybe when the Saints won the Super Bowl in 2009. But barely.)

A few years later, I left my corporate job and launched Nomoon Travel, yes, named after that iconic line from Obi-Wan: “That’s no moon, that’s a space station.” You can read more about that here.

Thanks to a few persistent friends (shoutout to Jay), I finally dove into The Clone Wars and Rebels. And wow, what a journey. Anakin Skywalker’s arc? Some of the most emotional and layered storytelling I’ve ever seen. I saw myself in Ahsoka, questioning the systems she once believed in. Ezra reminded me of my younger self, brash, curious, and a little too confident. With age, you gain humility. Wisdom. And a much deeper appreciation for the nuance in these characters.

In 2017, I joined the 501st Legion, thanks to the encouragement of friends like Tony and Kaylee. Now known as TK-88815, I’ve spent the past several years “trooping” as part of this incredible all-volunteer organization, bringing Star Wars joy to others while supporting local communities through charity and outreach.

So yes, Star Wars really did change my life.

It’s helped shape who I am, inspired how I live, and brought unforgettable memories and friendships into my orbit. And for that, I’m forever grateful.

May the Force be with you. Always. 🖤