Our Cheerleaders in Life

Entering my 11th year in education, you’d think by now my nerves on the first day of school would subside. But yesterday marked the beginning of a new school year, and like clockwork my stomach was in knots.

As I drove to work, I received two very encouraging text messages from both my mom and my husband.

Mom: “God be with you on your first day of the new school year! May He guide you to do the best of your ability to assist others.”

Sean: “I hope you have a great first day! I know you have already been back at it, but since those kids love you so much, I know that today will be busy for you. I love you.”

I found myself both touched and grateful for their kind and uplifting words. Professionally, it’s part of my job description to be a cheerleader for all of my students. To encourage them to do their best and reach their full potential. In my personal life, I am equally blessed to have my own cheerleaders in life. The individuals who love me, challenge me, and believe in my abilities to be my absolute best.

So today’s post is an homage to my three biggest advocates in life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for always offering me a shoulder to cry on, a high-five to celebrate a success, and smile to show you care.

Mom, thank you for leading by example and always believing in me even when my ideas seemed too far-fetched. You truly are a shining example of the kind of woman, mother, and person I aspire to be like every day. No one in life has ever been a bigger cheerleader than you. From rainy cross-country meets to the birth of my first child, you continue to lift me up when I need it the most. With heartfelt gratitude, mil gracias!

Sean, you are my rock, and you challenge me to be my best self everyday. You encouraged me to go back to graduate school to complete the coursework necessary to become a LPC and cheered me on every step of the way even when juggling it all proved to be taxing on our relationship. Thank you for believing in my abilities to co-parent with you even when I doubted myself sometimes. From the very beginning, first with Liam and now with Atticus, thank you for always praising me for being such a good mom. You may never truly understand the power and influence those words have on me every day. I love you with my whole heart and am grateful to have you in my life.

Anna, thank you for being the absolute best friend anyone could ask for. Few people in life are lucky enough to have lifelong friends, and you’ve been with me from the very beginning. From playdates, to wedding dates, and the birth dates of our children, our friendship has stood the test of time. You have encouraged and supported me through some of my highest and lowest points in life. I don’t know where I’d be today without your wit, sincerity, and friendship. I look forward to all that life has in store for us as friends. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll make that cross-country road trip in our RV when we’re old and gray like we talked about when we were in grade school. I couldn’t love you more even if you were my sister.

To the cheerleaders in all of our lives, thank you for waving your pom-poms, shouting our praises, and rooting for us every step of the way. #blessed