Dear Student(s)

Dear student,
If you're going to walk into my class drinking Starbucks...at least bring me some!
Kidding.
But seriously. Iced grande nonfat upside down caramel macchiato. With light ice and extra caramel, if you're feeling really nice.

Dear student,
I don't flipping care what Ms. So-and-so back in the 5th grade told you about your writing. If you are determined to learn how to write better, NO ONE CAN STOP YOU. Especially not her. If you're convinced you're not going to learn, YOU NEVER WILL. You're in charge of your education, NOT her.

Dear student,
Thank you for giving me your away jersey to wear to the big football game tomorrow. I feel incredibly honored that out of all the AMAZING teachers at VHS, you chose me. I will be cheering for you to beat those Panthers tomorrow night!

Dear student,
This is a strange thing to be grateful for, but thank you for mumbling under your breath during class. You are helping me learn patience. I will try not to lash out at you. I will try to connect with you individually. I will try to give you a good education, even though you don't like me. I will try to see the good in you. And p.s. I really don't care that you don't like me...that's life, and it's ok.

Dear student,
Thank you for letting me know what was wrong and hugging me when you were crying. I care, and I know you can get through what you're going through. I'm praying for you.

Dear student,
You're really quiet, and I think you think I don't notice you. I see you. You matter. And I like your taste in books.

Dear student,
I'm not sorry I took your phone. Don't let it go off again. Or at least change your ringtone to something entertaining... like the Dr. Who theme song. Or a cat meowing. That'd be hilarious.

Dear student,
Yes, you have to read every day. Reading is amazing. I hope that, by the end of the year, you will hate it just a little bit less and read a little bit more than you do now.



Dear students,
I love you kids already. I am so excited to learn together this year and to grow as readers, writers, and individuals.

 

We Choose





I wanted to post this in July. But I was still working on it. And then school started, and anything unrelated to lesson planning and grading and tutoring schedules and analyzing SOL scores vanished from my to-do list.
 
So, even though it's over a month late...happy anniversary to us :)

You still look at me like this, like you did on our honeymoon...like I'm freaking weirdo.

Dear husband,

It's been four years of marriage. That's an entire high school or college career. That's how long George H.W. Bush was president. That's how long we have to wait between summer Olympic games.

Wow.

Are we still this creepy, even eight years later? Probably.

I have a lot of favorite things about us.
It's adorable that we are high school sweethearts.
It's challenging that we like rival NFL teams (go Cowboys!).
It's awesome that we are best friends.
It's inspiring that we survived a long distance relationship.

Our first picture as a couple, watching fireworks on New Year's Eve, 2005.
Photo cred: Lauren Lupfer Collins

But my absolutely favorite part about this past year of marriage is that it was full of laughter.

Babe, you know that you married a Type A overachiever caffeine addict who (maybe sometimes) freaks out over little things, especially when life gets stressful. Examples of aforementioned little things: crumbs on the counter, towels folded wrong, excessive mouse clicking while you play League of Legends, dirty dishes in the sink- I'll stop there.

You know that sometimes I take out my frustration on you, even though I shouldn't. And you choose to laugh it off. Because you are gracious, and kind, and patient, patient, patient with me.


I can't even begin the count the number of times you've diffused tension by making a joke.
Me: UGH! Why are there crumbs on the counter?!?! *stomp stomp, mutter mutter, wipe crumbs aggressively*
You [with a goofy grin]: I think Minion put them there.
Me [rolling my eyes, then glaring, or perhaps doing both simultaneously]: She doesn't even like bread. She only likes cat food.
You: And tuna...and popcorn...and peanut butter...
Me: [giggling] Stop making me laugh! I'm supposed to be mad at you.
You: And toilet paper... and ear wax...and salt...
We both dissolve into a fit of laughter, and I forget that I was annoyed about the crumbs.

Doesn't this look like a still from a chick flick?
Photo credit: Monika Burkholder.

This is real life, not a cute Hollywood chick flick. We're not always happy with each other.

But a lot of times, we choose to laugh, long and loud and clear. And you have taught me to put my energy into laughter and acceptance instead of grumbling and complaining. That I have a choice in my response to life's negativity.

I know we say we don't believe in soulmates, because we've discussed it many times... but I'm becoming more and more convinced that you truly are my soulmate, because, to borrow Matthew Crawley's words (Downton Abbey, babe. Your favorite show), "I will never be happy with anyone else as long as you walk the earth."



Disappointed in the geyser behind us this
past summer, 2014, in North Carolina.

Happy (belated) four years of marriage (and almost NINE years of being a couple)! I hope and pray there are many, many more in store for us.