Relationship Reflection

We are all social creatures by nature, some of us are more social than others. 

I am a slow to warm type of person. I will be shy and quiet until I get to know you and then I am there for you and will speak freely with you. I have been so blessed to have many great people in my life. Relationships are so important to me because of the support each one offers as well as what I offer them. I love being there for people and helping or being a listening ear. I am always there supporting others through joys as well as struggles because that is what a relationship is about. 

My relationship with my husband is one of the best partnerships I have. He truly is my best friend and I am so lucky that our paths happened to cross all those years ago. Having been married almost fifteen years has taught us many lessons that have made us stronger. We always tell each other everything with honesty and are always there to support one another with any challenges one might be facing. This was something we have worked hard towards for many years. We has only known one another for six months prior to being married and then exception our first child together. We have had many trials over the years from suffering multiple miscarriages to our fathers passing away within six weeks of one another to raising a child with special needs. Each of these factors has always brought us together and we have made it out stronger each time. Some days one of us may want to just check out or many need some space and we respect this for one another because everyone needs a little space and offering this space has allowed us to maintain our partnership all these years. 

As my son grows into a young man, I am proud to be his mother and see what life brings him. He has autism and that has not been an easy road for him but he knows I am always here to support him. I offer him an unbiased and honest opinions with his struggles. We have had many discussions about how things happen for "typical" people so he can understand how to do things like his peers. It took us many years to get to where we are today. Lots of tears and frustration along the way have brought us to where we are now and I love the we share a bond of openness that will last into his adult years.

I have been so fortunate to live in many places that my collection of friends just grows with each move. Being a part of the military community is unique and friendships happen quickly, as we are all used to the routine of meeting new people. A challenge with this is finding the "right" fiends. Too many times have I eagerly entered in a friendship to learn it was not the best one for me. Over the years I have learned to slow down and become much more acquainted with someone before forming that relationship with them. Since my lifestyle is still quite nomadic, I keep in touch with ladies from all over the United States through social media and some of my stronger relationships through a weekly or monthly text. Maintaining these friendships over the years has not been easy and some fall to the wayside while others stay strong. Making the effort on my part as well as my friend making an effort on her part lets me know how lucky I am to have a true friendship with that person. 

Knowing how to be reciprocal in a relationship/partnership is so important when it comes to being an early childhood professional. Somedays a member for your teaching team may not be there 100% and you will stand by that person and lend that helping hand to get her through because one day you may need that support. Taking the time to step back and truly listen to one another is something I have cultivated in my many relationships and it has helped me be the professional I am today I am grateful to have this skill in my field of work.