Special People in my Life

My husband, Jeremiah, is one of the most loving people in my life. We met three years ago when I began working at the school. He and I are really very opposite personalities - he is very outgoing while I am on the quiet, shy side. He's a big guy, but I call him a 'gentle giant' because he has such a kind, caring, and considerate spirit. That is a quality in him that I truly admire. He has taught me a lot since we've known each other and never ceases to amaze me with the amount of his time and energy he gives to others. He is certainly special to me because we each bring what we have to our team, making up for what the other lacks. We also have the future a head of us to grow and experience new things, a journey that I don't want to share with anyone else.

My parents has always been special to me throughout my childhood and into adulthood. I am so lucky to have the constant love and support I have from each of my parents in two very different ways. My father has always reached out to talk when he saw my need. He always shows love unconditionally and truly prides himself in supporting his family, wife, and three children. I feel very blessed to have him today after he battled heart problems and mending surgeries a few years ago. My mom is very different from my dad. Being her only daughter and oldest child, she and I certainly had our battles. Between the two of them, she was certainly the day by day disciplinarian to us kids, but I also learned from her as she prepared me to grow up and I've gained a lot of her best qualities. Most of my perfectionist habits come from her genes, but it's my organizational skills and persistence that have driven me to get where I am today. Through my childhood they both instilled family values in me that I will someday teach my own children and now after getting married, Jeremiah and I have the opportunity to view their relationship to learn within our own.

In addition to my parents, I have also had the great pleasure of knowing my husband's parents, who have both been a new blessing to my life. Now that I am working toward learning the livelihood they've had for the past 40 years, I'm learning more about them and about myself. They are both truly admirable people for the work they have done to build such a loving environment for children. They give more of themselves in more ways than I ever thought imaginable. Families come into the office with heartbreaking stories and they reach out to help without thinking twice. They live on the school's property and have even given up parts of their own home for the betterment of the children and teachers. They have taken in children and staff, and worked to put three of their own children plus five additions through a college education. Their greatest drive the inspires me is the faith that they both holdfast to through thick and very thin. They remind us whenever we need it that the Lord is our source and everything we do should be for Him.

Although I know I could go on with lists of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, the last and probably one of the most dear in the very different way, is my only female cousin on my mother's side. Her name is Avery. We are ten years apart and now she is 13, but I still remember the night we met. She and I have grown up together like sisters, since we're the only two girls among two brothers each. I babysat her, took her places, made art projects together, and constantly learn from her. She is very similar to my husband, very outgoing, social, and energetic. She has definitely influenced my life as my only "sister" and will continue to be a support to me whether or not she knows it.