Our People: Living hands-on life

Ebony Love was born and raised in North Carolina. She graduated from Hillside High School in Durham in 2005.

She joined the Air Force as a maintenance troop at age 20. Her first duty station was to Mildenhall Royal Air Force Base near Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, in 2008 and spent four years there. Love has traveled to Paris and many other locations around the globe.

She met her husband Zachary Love in England and they married in 2013. The couple has two daughters. Love was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in 2013.

She separated from the Air Force a year later in 2014 to pursue a career in nursing. She is currently a licensed practical nurse and is pursuing her associates degree to become a registered nurse. She plans to continue her education in nursing thereafter.

What do you like about serving in the United States Air Force?

The travel and making lifetime friends all over the world. The Air Force offered me a more structured way of living that I think is beneficial for many. I needed to be more productive and I learned how to be. I learned leadership skills and how to work with people. The Air Force gave me not only the knowledge of combat but how to deal with people.

What were some of your challenges while in the service?

The separation from family. Six weeks after having my daughter I returned to work and that was difficult for me, being that I was a new mother. But today, I believe, the maternity leave has been doubled so I think that's better for families.

When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?

I knew that I'd have a hands on job. For example, I knew I wasn't going to be teaching English or anything. Back in high school I took an electronics course and with that I knew that I wanted to work with my hands in some way.

What's so great about your favorite sport?

We watch a lot of football in my family. My husband and I started out in fantasy football but then we really got interested in watching the actual NFL games together. My favorite team is the Carolina Panthers and my husband's is the Cleveland Panthers. I just think football is just the most exciting of sports and the fans are the most interesting of sports people.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

Just spending time with the family. I envision that day going to a cabin in the mountains at Christmas time with snow all around us with with my and my husband's extended families.

What do you do when you're not working?

I enjoy watching TV because that's my escape after a long day and I love to cook.

What's your favorite TV show, past and present?

My past favorite is "I Love Lucy." I could watch it all day, every day. My current favorite is "Game of Thrones."

What was the last costume you wore?

The last that I remember was Little Red Riding Hood.

Who's invited to your fantasy dinner party and why?

My husband. My siblings. I haven't seen my siblings in over a year. Adele will be the performer. Shonda Rhimes (American television producer) is invited so she can give me the full spoiler of her shows "Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy" and "How to Get Away With Murder." She won't get any steak until she spills the beans. Also, the writers for "The Walking Dead" and "Game of Thrones" are invited to spill the beans as well.

What's your greatest individual accomplishment?

It's most definitely raising my girls. They've turned out to be beautiful, well-mannered children. I enjoy constantly building on that.

— Compiled by The News Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield