Relationship Reflection

            Healthy relationships are a part of life; it plays a vital component in the health and happiness of every individual. When dealing with stress or you just need to vent some people can offer you support and great advice. I cherish my lifelong friendships, and I will admit they helped me grow into the person I am today. It is not about the quantity of your friends but the quality! Relationships allow you to help others, gain support, and even leave an imprint on someone’s life; when you ask for advice, you ask someone you love and care about. They are the ones who are brutally honest and do not sugarcoat, I don’t want a “yes” friend, I want someone who will tell me when I messed up and give me the support I need. They encourage us to grow, to be better people and I could not be any more blessed for my forever friends, husband, and family.

      

     

            My husband and I have been together for almost seven years now, and I can honestly say I would not be in school if it were not for him and his drive. I watched him complete his master's program while student teaching and having a job and still having time for us. He was inspiring and was a major reason as to why I went back to school. He has such an incredible work ethic and passion for his career, and he truly loves seeing his students every day and succeeding in his classroom. When I first went back to school, I thought how am I going to be able to have time when working 60+ hours a week and maintaining a home? Michael was the one who stepped up and really helped me with the housework and even reviewing my homework. He has always been there for me, supports me in any direction I choose to go and has been the shoulder to lean on when life gets complicated!

            My lifelong friends, Amanda and Ania, we have been best friends for almost twenty years now and even though we would go our separate ways, and not talk as much as soon as we got together nothing has ever changed. This is a true and forever friend! I have seen them grow and succeed in their fields and sometimes take a fall. But we are always there for one another. Without these two women I know I would not be the strong and independent woman I am today.  They are honest, they encourage, and they love! While we are not able to get together as much as we are used to anymore, I know I can count on them for every step of my journey.

            My parents, Doreen and Gene, this is the strongest bond I have and most appreciative of. They have done so much for my brother and I that I know I could never repay them. They have influenced and encouraged me throughout my whole life and have always been the rock I needed. I tell them everyday thank you for everything and I love you, by sharing my appreciation with them shows them I truly am grateful. Keeping my relationship so open and honest with my parents has actually allowed me to have faith in others. Even though I shouldn’t always give individuals the benefit of the doubt, I believe that everyone deserves a chance and without seeing this relationship with my parents I don’t think I would put as much in humanity as I do now.

            Lastly, my first best friend, my brother Anthony, has always been my number one supporter. Even though he is currently deployed we still communicate three to four times a week via email. I will admit this could be a difficult relationship to maintain but growing up so close in age and having a strong bond before leaving it was pretty simple. The tricky part is not able to hear his voice, I went from speaking to him on the phone every day to now writing long emails to discuss my days and how the family is doing. It can be hard to convey certain messages in an email, but thankfully he understands that I’m sarcastic.

            Without the supportive relationships that I share with these six individuals I would not be the person I am today. While it can be difficult to maintain such strong bonds when separated, it is still possible to maintain a positive relationship. You have to work at it, friendships are a two-way street and both individuals have to be willing to contribute. Having so much positive people whom support and surround me allow me to open up to strangers and discuss my opinions. Without these relationships I would not have the ability to create strong bonds with my students and/or their parents. We learn from the people around us, and our own experiences. Not having a relationship with our student and their family members will cause development issues. Students learn from what’s around them, if they are not accepted or valued in the classroom they won’t feel like they are good enough. We can enhance a child’s social and emotional domains by supporting them and their families, and maintaining positive and respectable relationships with everyone who enters our classroom.