Teaching Taylor

Do you remember your first childhood best friend? I do. Her name was Maggie. (If you’re reading this, hey, hope you’re doing well!) We’d drive around on the golf cart at her house and we’d sneak into her sister’s room to try on her clothes and use her makeup and curling iron to get ready. We’d stay up late to watch scary movies and eat junk food. One time she asked me to sneak upstairs to get a snack at her house, I came back with frozen French fries because I panicked and that’s the first thing I saw. It instantly became a joke between us.

When she would come over to my house, we’d ride four wheeler, play outside and on occasion go to our family camper where my dad would take us tubing behind the boat.

When 7th grade rolled around, this tall blonde girl moved to our small town. Me being me, I talked to her and we instantly became best friends. This tall blonde girl, named Jennifer, ended up being the maid of honor in Devon and I’s wedding.

Jennifer and I did a lot of fun things together in high school. We’d organize fun events at school, caused chaos I’m sure, and ultimately always had each other’s backs. To this day, Jennifer and I still talk to one another periodically. She drove up to see me at my house this summer and it was just the sweetest visit.

When college rolled around, I remember going into my first college class knowing no one. The social person that I am, I just sat down and started talking to whoever I sat by.

The people I talked to in class would meet in the cafeteria for breakfast before class, study in the library together and occasionally get together on the weekends. The college friends I talked to in class, were just that. A quick friend during that chapter of my life.

Meeting my husband, brought one of my friends, Sarah. They rode the bus together and to this day we joke about them riding bus 12. We don’t see each other all the time, but we talk as much as we can. I can always rely on her to laugh at something I find online and send to her or to be a friend I can grab an adult beverage with and just chat. We have lake days together, grab lunch or literally just sit and visit.

When my first teaching job rolled around, it gave me my Fine in Fourth group. Taylor, Miranda and I were stuck like glue from the start. We went through teaching during a pandemic together and well, if you know you know. We snap each other the most random things almost daily and I can always count on these two to shoot me straight on anything and everything. What’s even cooler, our sweet guys in our lives get along pretty good too.

When I moved to the high school, my classroom was conveniently placed across the hall from a super energetic science teacher and a few short steps to a helpful art teacher. Little did I know that Tavia and Molly would become my go-to’s for literally everything and anything. Plus, let’s not forget that they are always down to dress up on school spirit days and that’s totally my jam. They love their jobs, just like I do and they just exude positivity everywhere they go. When you surround yourself with happy people, it’s hard to not be happy too.

When you get older you start to learn more about yourself. Devon and I started growing in our faith and that’s where my friends Hailley and Alyssa come into play. They challenge me with my faith and encourage me to grow in my walk with God. They pray for me and with me. They always give me a perspective that is based on the truth of the word. We have scheduled FaceTime dates to make sure we stay in contact.

When I sat down to write this blog, I didn’t know where it would take me, but as I was writing, I received a text from a friend mentioned above about how they missed me and cherished our friendship and when you see that in writing it really helps you realize just how blessed you are to have crossed paths with so many incredible people at different stages of your life.

Each friend, whether they were part of my childhood, a high school friend, or a colleague-turned-lifelong bestie, has added something unique to my journey. They’ve been there for the highs and lows, the laughter and tears, and the moments that have shaped who I am today. What a gift that is.

The friends you get in your life that stay by your side through it all have become your chosen family. They will teach you the value of loyalty, they will bring you joy and the comfort of knowing someone always has your back.

I hope you have a group of friends who love you fiercely like I do. If not, reach out and I would love to be in your corner. We were built for connection.