25 Years of Becoming Shannon Knight
A True Independence Day
Names matter. If you don’t think so, look around. So many women today hold onto their last name after marriage—some hyphenate, some keep it completely—because it connects them to who they are. Who they were before the change. Because names carry history, memory, identity.
And this year—2025—marks 25 years since the day I first arrived in Port Orchard, Washington and I changed my name. I chose the name Shannon Knight to remind me to put on the full armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-18 so I would never feel alone when I was scared.
I had made the decision for my safety and it wasn't easy. I had been a victim of a serious crime and had to change my name, relocate and begin life anew- giving up everything connected to my former name and life.
I came back to Port Orchard, WA this year with a significant purpose and I chose the 4th of July—Independence Day.
It wasn’t easy to adjust to my new name and relocation to a place I had no history and knew no one. When I’d meet someone and introduce myself it felt strange because that was the most inauthentic I had ever felt in my life.
But now I know looking back that this name holds all my memories, all that I’ve survived, cherished, celebrated, every mistake I’ve made, every hurt against me-whether intentional or not that I’ve forgiven.
—Independence Day.
I came to Port Orchard to confront so many fears of everything that had happened—it was still haunting. The painful memories felt like they were too much a part of me in a negative way, and I knew it was time to face them and find a new perspective. I wasn't sure what would come of this but I knew for sure change would happen and I was definitely willing to look at things differently.
I prepared for this journey, so my husband came along for support. And I made sure to have my best girlfriends involved, because they are the women who made me feel like I belonged when I felt like I had lost my foundation back then. They now feel like my forever sisters.
It was a success, and I laughed so much—without that panicked, look-over-my-shoulder feeling. I went to all the places I swore I'd never return to in that little town where everything had once come undone.
Wow, was I surprised because not once did I feel that same sense of unraveling. I felt happy there. I even toyed with the thought of moving back. Feeling my friends so close by again was incredible. I didn’t want to leave.
My husband loved watching us and getting to know everyone. There is so much to be said about friendships that stand the test of time—in all their forms: tender, warm, dramatic, silly, playful.
I loved it then, and I love it now.
Even though I don’t know anyone who’s lived through what I have I know many people who have gone through extraordinary things I haven’t. I’ve learned we all live different lives and we face different struggles. We all know how fear can consume us and we know it precedes every triumph we’ve had in life.
If you’re going through something overwhelming and feel uncertain or afraid—I hope you’ll hear me when I say: The courage you need for what you are facing is already within you.
Look back on your life—you’ll see how many times courage showed up when you were afraid. Fear and doubt always come before our courage. You’ll see all the times you didn’t give up even when you felt abandoned and alone —faith is what you held onto and it took courage to keep going and you made it through.
Looking back brings new perspective. What once felt like damage beyond repair can reveal what seemed so impossible, wasn’t and you overcame. That’s where you’ll see how amazing you really are.
Today you may be facing an extraordinary circumstance and maybe there is a path you must choose that offers no evidence of which is the right one, I know it can be frightening.
You have proof from your past that you can endure whatever comes from your choices and it shaped you.
Most of all, remember, “this too shall pass”—and like or not... it really will. One day you will look back on this as well. You are never alone in any circumstance.
—Shannon Knight
