So amid all the chaos that is currently consuming the world I want to write something that has nothing to do with that at all. I also want to say that there are many things and people that inspire me in my life but today I am deciding to only write about 3 of them.

The 3 people I am writing about (in no particular order) have changed the way I view and handle so many things. These are some of the greatest people I know and I hope, after reading this, you think of the people who inspire you and maybe do a nice deed for them. In the times we are going through, a text message goes a long way.

The first person I want to talk about is not only a great friend but a great example to so many people. Her name is Brittany. I have known Brittany for most of my life. I have pictures and memories of us together as early as the age of 5. I’m sure we knew each other before then considering our mothers were best friends. Brittany is so much more than a friend, she’s more like a sister to me. We grew up together and went separate ways as teens but no matter what we’ve always been able to talk to each other and lean on one another. Even now, with her living in Texas and I in California, she is teaching me so much. Brittany has just recently helped me see that boundaries are a great thing. Setting boundaries with others (even family or close family friends) can help you grow into a person you only dreamed of being. She’s also taught me that there is no perfect time to get in the best shape of your life! You just set your mind to it and you can achieve it no matter the circumstances around you. I will forever be inspired by her and love her.

The second person I want to talk about today, honestly, is slightly unexpected in a way. If you would’ve asked me 10 years ago what would become of this friendship I would’ve probably told you that after high school we would go our separate ways and that would be the end of it. Just Facebook friends that hardly spoke. Fortunately for me, life has other plans. My sister (in love), Kym, is not just relation but she is also one of my best friends (it’s ok to have more than one) and closest confidant. She is also a fierce blogger and author ( check out her blog at http://adoseofdouglas.com/ ). This girl, I don’t even know where to begin, she has taught me so much in the 11 years that I have known her. Back when we met, in 2005, we were just high school freshmen who shared a choir class. Over time we found out we had mutual friends and due to choir ended up in the same places at the same times frequently. I would say that we didn’t become close until about 2013 (at which point I started dating her brother). After reuniting I began to learn so much about her that quickly inspired me. Kym is an Army veteran (as is her husband), she also has a bachelors degree in liberal studies, was a preschool teacher, and is a mother of two. Kym taught me perseverance during her struggle to get pregnant with their daughter (I truly hope she doesn’t hate me for writing that) and while she worked her butt off to achieve her bachelors degree. She has taught me that, no matter what, you should always be true to who you are and what you believe. She has shown me what it’s like to be strong and how important it is to educate yourself on things (like how she educates herself on her daughter’s juvenile arthritis condition). She has also shown me how much family and support means, she is constantly checking on my mental health, my pregnancy, and always willing to help with any events I plan, whether it’s a party or a 5K. She will forever be a sister and a best friend to me.

The third and last person is by far my absolute best friend. My husband, Stewart, has inspired me so much for so many years. He has taught me what it is to be kind when others weren’t kind to you. He has shown me what it is like to have strength in a time when breaking down would’ve been far more than ok. He was my rock through our two miscarriages when I couldn’t be strong for myself. He was the one there to take care of me when I couldn’t get out of bed. He has shown me more love and patience than I ever thought possible. He has loved me the same through thick and thin (not kidding 145lbs to 200+lbs, he’s still loved me). He’s always supported all my crazy dreams and continues to with all my new dreams (he has no idea how much a marathon costs yet haha). He’s held me as I cried because my feelings were hurt. I “wear my feelings on my sleeve” so this has happened a lot ( and no, I’m not sorry for showing emotions). Stewart was the one to decide to plant trees to represent our Emma and Bentley (you can read all about that here https://parentingbetweenthelines.family.blog/2020/02/19/hope-after-loss/ ). When I was younger I thought I knew exactly what love was but, now, I can tell you all that I truly had no idea until Stewart. Fun fact, I had a HUGE crush on Stewart the first time I saw him (which was during a choir event sooo roughly 2005) and swore I was going to, at least, date him. I wasn’t wrong, it just took 8 years. As an adult I realize that we both had to go through some learning before it was our time. I will not sit here and say that it has all been rainbows and sunshine, remember social media only shows the highlight reel of anyone’s relationship. Even before our miscarriages we had some hard times. Getting to know a person beyond a friendship will always lead to fights (especially when the two people are so stubborn) and planning a wedding and moving to a new place will also lead to unwanted pressure. Even though there are arguments and rough times I wouldn’t want to go through this life with anyone else. Stewart has shown me and taught me that standing up for myself and doing what I want is not a bad thing. Yes, people will get upset and uncomfortable when you stop doing what they want but in the end it is healthy to do what’s best for you. Stewart has also pushed me to be the best me and never lets me give up on something I’ve set out to do (like not wanting an epidural). He has never let me down and constantly reminds me that I am more than enough. He is the love of my life and I will always be thankful for him.

I hope you all take time today to think about those who inspire you and reach out to them in one way or another. And to my inspirations, I hope you know how truly thankful I am for you and how much I love you. I wouldn’t be who I am without you in my life.