I get it.
So let me tell you a little about me.
I was born and raised in New Jersey. My parents were high school sweethearts and have been married for over 40 years. My hometown was...interesting. Everyone knew everyone and everything about everyone. I played field hockey and then I just did the stats. Running wasn't my thing. I did color guard for one season then I was over that. My parents thought I wouldn't get into college because I didn't have enough extra curricular activities. The school musicals, dance lessons for 12 years and Student Council apparently weren't enough. I remember sitting in the guidance counselors office hysterically crying because I could not stand color guard and my parents wouldn't let me quit. He somehow convinced my parents that quiting color guard wouldn't ruin my life. And he was right. I am just fine.
I went to culinary school in West Philadelphia. {Anyone else start singing like Will Smith?!} It was a life changing experience. I met lots of interesting people that shaped who I am now - in both a good and bad way. They were older and younger but we all {for the most part} meshed well together. There I experienced my first bad relationship when my so-called boyfriend was dating me at college but still dating a girl at home as well. Yeah, that kind of rocked my 19 year old self. It helped me decided to escape and do my internship two islands out in the Gulf of Mexico at a fairly well known resort. I lasted 3 months there. I wanted to be back in New Jersey with the comfort of family and friends.
I started working at a local restaurant where I was not only the youngest manager but I am pretty sure I was one of the youngest employees. I went on to mange a bar in South Philly where I had the pleasure of pissing off a bus boy who slashed my tires. One of my waitresses had her boyfriends name tattooed backwards on her neck and was on Jerry Springer. I apparently dressed too nicely and people didn't take me seriously. I wasn't surprised when I went to work one day to find the doors padlocked because the owners didn't pay the rent.
I returned to the same culinary school to get my Bachelors degree. Luckily, there were lots of new faces and the experience was much better. I began working in a casino in Atlantic City upon graduation and well, that was an experience for the books. I was in a long term relationship at the time. The kind that I thought would be the one forever. He was older but definitely not more mature. I was over it and him and moved out. I moved home with my parents and started working in retail.
That's when I met my now husband. On Myspace of all places. He thought my dog was cute...and so was I. We were engaged in 6 months and purchased our first home days after getting engaged. We married 2 years from the day we met. In our 11 years together, we have been through it all {or so it seems}. More moves then I ever thought I would have. Birth of two children. Death of many family members and friends. We have hit rock bottom {literally} and built ourselves back up. We have seen friends come and go. One thing I have learned is that you will see who your real friends are in your greatest time of need.
We have recently moved again for what we are hoping is the last time. We built our dream home in what will eventually be an amazing neighborhood. We are trying to find "our people" which is proving to be harder than we thought. My anxiety plays a big part in that. My sons Autism plays a big part in that. My daughter is an amazing 8 year old who wears her heart on her sleeve. My husband is our rock.
You may be reading this and thinking there really isn't anything special about her life and you may be right. It was boring growing up. Nothing over the top, life changing. But some moments that make great stories. And they make me who I am today. <3
