I was nervous to take on a dream role 2 states away for 3 weeks. My husband and son fully supported my decision.

The author left home for three weeks to take on a dream role in a theater production.

Courtesy of Tonilyn Hornung I've always loved theater, but acting took a backseat when I became a parent.

However, my son is now 12, and I felt comfortable auditioning for roles that weren't too far away.

When I was cast in a show two states away, I was nervous about leaving home for three weeks.

"I miss him so much," I sobbed into the phone.

"I don't know if I can do this." I was surprised my sister could understand me through the tears, but she'd always been good at decoding my words — and what was behind them.

I'd been away from home for less than 48 hours, and I missed my 12-year-old son so fiercely that I wasn't sure I could handle the distance for three full weeks.

Had I made the right decision in taking a dream job two states away? I wanted to follow my dream During my childhood, I spent much more time making up (and performing) musicals inside than playing kickball outside.

I reimagined shows I loved and made my own mashups — Oklahoma Annie! played on selected evenings in my living room with an added Sunday matinee.

It was no surprise to anyone that my love of theater continued, and I graduated from college with a BFA in Musical Theater.

I was a professional actor way before my husband and son took center stage. (Theater pun free of charge.) For years, performing took a backseat to parenting, but dream shows still tugged at my insides.

I kept a short list of those I'd love to be involved in — especially as my son became more independent.

So, with my husband and son's encouragement, I started auditioning for productions within a five-hour radius of home.

And, would you believe it, I was cast — for a dream role, in one of my dream musicals, playing a mom.