It was 20 years ago today that Tim Berners-Lee submitted his proposal for a better way to share information among PC users. This was the start of what has become the internet, a force that has changed so much of how the world interconnects. And how I personally think and work.

This is my story of how the internet has changed me.

Back in 1989,as the internet was being invented, I was starting college. And doing lots of research. Partly because it was expected of me, and partly because I just love to learn. Yes, I was one of those crazy kids who, when given the option, chose to write the paper.

For the next four years, I spent lots of time in libraries. I hung out there because it was quiet, I could read, and it was much more convenient than trekking off-campus to my apartment. And, it afforded me an excuse to browse the stacks for an interesting read here and there.

I was well versed in where to find stuff in the library, which campus libraries offered the best resources, and where I could find a microfiche machine that actually worked well.

Throughout my senior year, I worked on my thesis, exploring the ethical, legal and practical implications of alcohol and cigarette advertising in urban markets. During this process, I discovered the university’s online system to access reference materials from universities across the world.

In that moment, my concepts about access to information changed. I could read articles from around the country. Books from the last 50 years. Research studies from around the world. All of a sudden, I had to think about validity of these sources. Cultural differences. Changes over time. Languages.

All this led me to think very differently, converse differently. write differently. By the end of the year, my thesis was better for it. I was better for it. What a great way to finish college and go out into the world.

For about a year after college, I went through what I can only describe as information withdrawal. My university library access was no more. Media was not very satisfying for my curious nature. Computers and online services were not very enticing nor affordable to me. I felt disconnected, and considered going back to school for awhile.

Then, in 1994, when Apple announced their online service eWorld, I was enthralled. I bought a PowerPC and signed up. Not a great experience, but I felt like my access to the world was back. I learned, engaged, connected. Each day I spent hours online, reading, exploring, discussing (I loved the bulletin boards!).

In the past 15 years, I’ve never been without online access. I’ve bought newer PCs, signed up for better and more open services, paid for faster access, learned about web infrastructure, and participated in social media. One-way media channels have become less and less relevant to me, while my internet usage has grown. The technologies have changed, the communities, the services, the activities.

But my feelings haven’t. I still feel connected to my world. That I can learn, explore, converse. That new possibilities to grow and connect are coming to life. And I’ll be there.

The past 20 years have been an amazing journey for me. And I simply would not be who I am without the 20-year-old internet.