My wants list

My lovely ladies here at the APH always have some of the most interesting and entertaining conversations. I usually just sit in the background and giggle about how goofy and wonderful they all are. A recent convo they had while hanging out in the hall office was their non-negotiable qualities when it comes to guys and dating. (Yes, some stereotypes we reinforce willingly. We really do make lists of what we want our guys to be like.) As always, they want me to join in the process, but for this conversation I politely declined due to employer - employee boundaries, even though the real reason was that I wasn't sure what my non-negotiable qualities were.

But that conversation stuck with me, as most do. It got me to think about a few of the things I want out of relationships. So I made my own list. And by no means do these items only pertain to a dating relationship, but these are things I want present with any form of relationship I develop. So here goes.

I want to be a risk taker and someone to take a risk on

I want to surround myself with people who want to see me become a better person no matter what trials arise and know that they'll stand by me through it all

I want to be able to say out loud what I think and what I feel without the fear that I'm saying or feeling too much 

I want to know that the people I back up, defend, support, encourage and cheer for won’t hesitate to do the same for me

I want my ability to love unconditionally be the thing that people love the most about me

So there ya have it. My "I want's" list. Nothing too extensive. The most encouraging part about these things that I want is knowing that in some relationships I have these things. The people I have this type of relationship with are the people that are nearest and dearest to my heart. I am continually thankful for their unconditional love and for being such a blessing to me! 

So maybe it is okay to make lists of non-negotiable qualities you want in relationships. I think many of us get scared of knowing what we want and being okay with holding tightly to those things. However, if those things make you a better person, I think they are worth having!

China isn't that far away...

In just over a week, my dear friend Jenny Fey will be taking a giant leap of faith as she is moving to China to teach English. Yay Jenny! I can remember having so many talks with Jen in our old house at 1183 Farrington St (see below picture...and then read Welcome to the Jungle blog post!)

J mowing the lawn for the 1st time ever!

 about what Jenny would be doing next with her life. Was it going to be grad school? What she supposed to go back overseas? It was a big decision for Jen. One that we prayed about often. Jen thinks I have some sort of 6th sense or that I'm prophetic (doubtful) because I have an uncanny way of guessing things correctly. I just say it's a healthy dose of intuition. But one night after a lengthy discussion on what Jenny is passionate about and the big decisions she was facing in her life, I got a gut feeling. Again. I walked up the stairs, knocked on Jenny's door and said "Jen, you have to go overseas." And after a short stint in Ukraine and the Czeck Republic, she will now be calling Kunming, China her home.

I'm so thrilled for Jenny! I truly feel that this is what she needs to do during this time of her life. She is going to be incredible as a teacher and I can't wait to hear about all the fascinating things she is going to learn and do in her new home. Jen, all I ask is for a Coach purse...don't care what kind of secret, back corner place you get it from! Okay? Thanks! Moving on...

I'm not going to lie, though. It brings a tear to my eye every time I think about how it will probably be a very long time before I get to see her again. Insert major sad face. The last time I was having some ridiculous, girlie, emotional breakdown - one only JFey could cure - I could just fly her down here and life would soon return to its normal state of bliss. That, however, probably won't be happening anytime soon as I have a feeling the flight from China to Boone would set me back a little more.

Yay for best friends!

Nonetheless, I'm very proud of my little Jenny Fey! J- thank you for being such an awesome friend over the years. You are a remarkable woman and I have been blessed to learn so much from you. I know that you are going to do great things over in China and although we are worlds away from each other, I am certain that our friendship is bound to only grow stronger and deeper. Who knows, maybe I will be able to come visit you in Kunming?! Fingers crossed!

I love you, Jenny Fey.