Who is one of the most influential people in your life?

“My cousin. I don’t live with my parents because they live in Mexico. He’s been like a big brother to me. He’s in the Army. I feel like he played a big part in me growing up and showing me what’s right and what’s wrong. He’s just a really good brother to me. Being a leader – just his way of taking care of things when no one else wants to do it – he just always steps up. I feel like it would be great to be just like him. Be careful around the people you hang out with and the people you want to be in your circle. He’s always telling me that. It plays a big part in who you end up being later on. I feel like I have a good group of friends who are really good people.” – Carlos Roman of Albertville

Carlos Roman is learning to be independent and resilient. (Tamika Moore / People of Alabama)

Roman is in the Marine Corps Reserve. He says that it has taught him resiliency, and he is learning to be independent.

“Not living alone, just having my own life going on already – being able to go to my cousins and family and telling them, ‘Thank you. I’m here because of you guys.’”

Time away from his family has also taught him a lot.

“You’ll be alone most of the time. Not in a bad way, it’s just that certain times you’re going to have to face things alone. It’ll give you good perspective about certain things when you have to go through stuff like that. Since I haven’t been with my parents, in a way, most things I haven’t been able to talk to them about and it ends up with me trusting my gut and figuring out what’s right and wrong.”

These are the faces and stories of people from all walks of life who call Alabama home. People of Alabama is a Red Clay Media and Alabama NewsCenter partnership.