For the last ten years, my world has revolved around my three boys. I poured everything into them, my energy, my time, my heart. I became their anchor, their safe place, their constant. And as the years passed, they grew. Not just taller or older, but more independent and confident. Little by little, I began to feel that familiar shift: they still needed me, but not in the way they once did. For the first time in a decade, I could finally breathe for myself again. I had no expectations of love finding me. My life had settled into a rhythm of responsibility and quiet strength. But then, as life often does when we least expect it, it brought someone into my world who would change everything. A man finding love after loss. A man who loved deeply, truly, wholeheartedly before. Instead of feeling intimidated by the depth of his past, I found myself moved by it. The way he speaks of love, the way he honors what he once had, only makes me feel closer to him. It shows the kind of heart he...
Tomorrow I will wrap up another year teaching PreK. 9 months ago I met my tiny new best friends. At first I mourned the loss of my previous class but eventually they grew on me and I fell in love with each of them. The end of the school year (for those who love what they do) is like a really terrible break up. This week has been full of emotion, some personal but a lot of sadness about what's coming to an end. I'm not going to say that this year has been smooth or easy. There have been many challenges. If you think about the amount of time I spend with these children each day it's a lot. I spend almost 5 hours each day 4 days a week with theses kiddos. There have been tears (from them and myself). When they walked through my door 9 months ago many of them were quiet, scared and unfamiliar with me. I was able to earn their trust, and show them that I was more than just their teacher. I loved them and was comple...