Tribbles, holodecks, transporters, warp speed, tricorders, Vulcan mind melds, and Ferengi—these were the delightful terms that filled my teenage years in the ’80s and ’90s. Yep, you guessed it; I’m a Trekkie through and through. Need some proof? Let me share.
I’ve dabbled in Klingon, conquered a three-dimensional chess set, and even donned a Starfleet uniform for Halloween. My aspirations included becoming Counselor Troi, complete with dreams haunted by the Borg. I had a major crush on Commander Riker and longed for holodecks to be a reality. I’ve witnessed a Klingon blood drive up close and personal, attended over 20 Star Trek conventions, and collected autographs from legends like Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, and the wise Leonard Nimoy. Oh, and did I mention my name pays homage to one of Captain Kirk’s many romantic entanglements?
Looking back now, admitting my Trekkie status feels liberating, but as a teen, I kept that side of myself under wraps. My friends didn’t tease me for my love of sci-fi, but they certainly didn’t join in the enthusiasm. My extensive knowledge of Starfleet command didn’t exactly elevate my social standing in school; in fact, it probably solidified my place at the bottom of the social ladder.
Yet, those quirky sci-fi memories are now my fondest, mainly because I shared them with my mom. My mother is a die-hard Star Trek fan—she’s seen every episode and movie multiple times, read all the novels, and even penned a few original stories before fan fiction became a thing. Her basement is a shrine to Star Trek, filled with collector plates, autographed photos, phaser replicas, and even a pair of Starfleet Ken and Barbie dolls.
Christmas in our house was unique; we had two trees: one traditional and another all black, adorned solely with white lights and pewter starships my dad would lovingly purchase from Franklin Mint for my mom’s birthday. Talk about commitment!
Don’t get me wrong; we enjoyed typical mother-daughter activities too—shopping trips, lunch dates, and candid chats about boys. But it’s those eccentric moments that stick out the most. How many daughters can say they rocked out to a music video featuring Geordi La Forge or eagerly stood in line for an autograph from Terry Farrell of Deep Space Nine, all while their mom cheered them on?
My adolescent years are forever intertwined with Star Trek and the incredible bond I share with my mother. What once felt like a hidden quirk is now a badge of honor, amusing my students and puzzling my friends. What I once viewed as a semi-cultish fascination has evolved into a cherished representation of our unique mother-daughter relationship.
Star Trek has imparted countless lessons—strong female role models, a celebration of diversity, a thirst for exploration, and an appreciation for Shakespearean literature (seriously, the literary references are on point!). But above all, I cherish the joy it continues to bring my mom. Watching someone be inspired is truly contagious.
As much as I tried to shake off my Trekkie roots, I’ve come to embrace them. So, to quote the Borg, “Resistance is futile.”
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