List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
1.
Ryan – Obviously, he has influenced me mostly by loving me, but he is also crazy
smart and handy. The man can fix or build just about anything – and as much as
I love my Dad, that was never his forte so, it’s been so educational to be
around Ryan. He is always teaching me something – usually about technology or
cars or building/repairing things (or anything related to those). No one looks at me the way he does, and that makes me feel stronger. He brings so
much joy and love into my life – something that every living being deserves to
have.
2.
My Parents – Even though they aren’t married anymore, I have to lump them into
one for this because TOGETHER, they taught me how to love and be loved. I have
my Mom to thank for my gentle side. She is kind and loving, and I when
people tell me that I am that way, I can’t help but think it’s because I was
directly influenced by my Mom. My Dad is the kind of guy that you strive to
make proud. That probably comes with being a “Daddy’s Girl” for most of my
life. He also passed down his love of baseball and music trivia. They raised me
to be confident in who I am, to try and smile in the face of any trials I encounter and
to stand up for myself and what I believe in.
3.
Frankie – Because of my little brother, I learned my first lessons in truly
having someone’s back no matter what – and someone else having yours. The
moment he was born, I had a lifelong best friend, which also introduced me to a
new kind of love. The love you have for your siblings is different from the
love you have for your parents, or your spouse. I also think I learned patience
because of Frankie. ;)
4.
Brittany – One of my BFFs, this girl is my music soul mate. And I don’t say
that lightly. We met in 4th grade, on the elementary school
playground, because she was playing Ace of Base on her boom box. I loved Ace of
Base, so surely we were meant to be friends. From that moment on, we have
shared countless music memories, from our first concert together (Boyz II Men),
to high school choir, to the probably hundreds of shows and concerts we’ve been
to together over our 17 (!!!) years of friendship. She is the person I can
count on to really understand how music gets into your soul and holds on.
5.
Lindsay – My soul sister. We met about 7 years ago when she started dating my
brother’s best friend. (They got married on 3.24.12!!!) I always liked her, but
we were never more than casual friends until 2010. Our friendship journey
started there, but really took flight in 2011. The more we talked, the clearer
it became that I was destined to be friends with this girl. Our conversations
are so easy and open. She understands me in a way that few others do. She has
quickly become one of my closest, most valuable friends.
6.
Kim – Another of my BFFs, Kim and I met in 6th grade and hit it off
right away. She is one of my most fun friends. We laugh SO MUCH, and that
quality is so, so important. I am free to be 100% myself with Kim and not only
does she accept me as I am, but she pulls out the “silly” in me and runs with
it. She is also a fellow Cancer crab, so she gets me when my mood bottoms out.
7.
Kyla – I used to nanny for Kyla’s 3 kiddos. Almost immediately, I knew there
was a higher power at work there. She taught me a lot about being a mother –
tools and lessons that I filed away in an arsenal for when it’s my turn. But it
was so much more than that. Kyla was an
unwavering source of strength for me as I went through some of the toughest
times of my life. She isn’t just a lady whose kids I babysat. She is like
family.
8.
Judy – I met Judy when we worked together a few years ago. She is so smart and
wise. She helped me grow so much in ways I didn’t even know I needed. I found
my footing in my views on politics, as a woman and as a new wife with her help.
Her knowledge and insight is like a prized possession and I am lucky to know
her.
9.
My Grandparents – I feel like this is a given, just like my parents, but since
none of my grandparents are still with us, it’s easy for me to look back and
realize the ways they influenced me.
My
Gram (Dad’s Mom) passed away when I was in 4th grade, but she is the person
I take after the most, physically. I have her hair, her chin, her body type and
her feet. She was 100% Swedish, and that is a part of my culture that I am so interested in.
My
Grandmom (Mom’s Mom) was the most gentle, selfless person I’ve ever known. She
was such a kind southern woman. I strive to have a quarter of the compassion
she had. In middle school, we had to write a paper about our hero. Most of my
classmates picked celebrities or athletes. I picked my Grandmom. (True story.)
My
Granddaddy (Mom’s Dad) was probably one of the smartest men I will ever know.
But, he was also kind and loving. He lost his leg (and blew his ears drums)
when he ran over a landmine in WWII but he never let that slow him down. Grandmom
and Granddaddy were also an amazing example of love. Love for their family,
their community and, most importantly, for each other.
My
Gramp (Dad’s Dad) is the grandparent I was closest to in my late teens and 20’s.
After Grandmom and Granddaddy had passed away, I think I realized how precious
our grandparents are, so I put more effort into my relationship with Gramp. He made
me feel important and valued every word I ever said to him. That is something
that always stood out to me. He was also a WWII vet (a Screaming Eagle from the 101st Airborne
division). All of my Grandparents had a huge impact on who I am, and even
though I miss them all terribly, I am so lucky to have had the time I did with
them.
10.
Anyone I’ve ever met – No, seriously. I could go on and on and on with this
list because there are SO MANY people in my life that have influenced me. Chances are, if I've met you or talked to you, I could tell you exactly how you've influenced me. So, thank you!
