A long message from an introvert.

1. I’m the youngest of three girls

Growing up I never had the privilege of having brothers. But along the way I’ve adopted many!

Line up us three girls in a row and everyone gets confused who is the oldest. It’s our height, stature, and hair color, I think, that throws everybody off.

I don’t remember much of what it was like growing up all together (memories return to me randomly) but I do remember–because it was mentioned a ton–how strangers would comment in amazement at how quiet and well-behaved we were when we went places.

But were we always so quiet and well-behaved . . .?

I don’t recall, remember?

2. My first language was Sign language

And I don’t mean that as a baby I signed milk, more, or please.

I’m a coda or koda.

And what do those letters mean? Child of deaf adult(s). [Read more about it here.] Yep, that’s me. Both of my parents cannot hear with their ears. My dad lost his hearing when he had the Scarlet Fever at six years old; and my mom was born without being able to.

I’ll always remember my mom telling me when her mom found out she couldn’t hear. Her mom called to her baby girl sitting up in the crib, but she remained oblivious to her calls. I can only imagine how heartbreaking that could have been. And as a parent myself, I wondered if that scenario would play out the same for me… but it has not. Turns out hearing loss is not quite hereditary. It has its own odd rhyme and rhythm.

Oh, and another fun fact. When I was born apparently my ears were so chock-full of wax, I was thought at first to have been deaf as well. But that turned around real quick. And I am thankful.

From witnessing my parents’ lives, it is a hard knock life not to have that sense. But completely doable.

3. I’ve been working for probably thirty years now

Maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit…? But probably not by far.

For several years I was a newspaper girl. Like, when you open your front door in the morning and find a rolled-up paper on your welcome mat? Yeah, I did that.

My older sisters got routes first and I soon began helping them. Every single morning (at first, we had Saturdays off) at 5 a.m. we’d all wake up, collect the stacks of newspapers at the end of our sidewalk, fold them up, bind them with a rubber band or a plastic bag, stuff them in these huge crossbody bags–or wagon/carts if it was Friday or Sunday–and walk throughout our neighborhood delivering them.

Rain or shine. Summer or winter.

Lots of memories there, I’d say. And great walks! And I’ll add that I have a pretty good aim. Papers need to be on the welcome mat not in a bush, come on now. And it’s all in the wrist.

I inherited both of my sisters’ routes after they graduated from high school until I got my first “real” job.

4. I worked for Chick-fil-A for nine years

Nine years, yup. I like to say, Eight good years and one that was, um, different.

From the age of fourteen to twenty-three I worked at the Delran, NJ, Chick-fil-A FSU. It was a fantastic place to work. I grew so much while I was there. I was only fourteen for a few months but even after I turned fifteen, I could only work for like two (or was it three?) hours a day and I had certain limitations like I couldn’t go into the walk-in freezer or climb ladders, stuff like that.

I definitely learned a lot about the world, hard work, and relationships at CFA and I am very thankful for the time that I had there. By the time I was seventeen I had become a manager and was until I graduated from college. Toward the end I was only working summers and Christmas breaks. I was one who would close up the restaurant at night or open it first thing in the morning. I always strived to do my best, but looking back, I can see how much more I’ve grown.

So many of my coworkers became my friends and if I were to sit here for a while I could go on and on about the different personalities that I worked with and those that I served. Years of memories there, I tell ya. Mostly good.

That one year though, I got to work with Chris at one near our first house. We were looking to supplement our income (South Florida, amiright?) and decided to go somewhere I knew so well. Or thought I did. I learned the hard way that every store is run differently. And that CFA “it’s my pleasure” attitude varies for every employee.

Maybe that is all I should say on that matter.

But I will say that everywhere that Chris and I go we learn more about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Real life is harsh sometimes. But it can’t be real if it doesn’t have both the good and the bad.

5. I’ve always known what I wanted to be when I grow up

But I was too embarrassed to admit it. Until I actually did. Out loud.

A mom. I’ve always wanted to be a mom. And here we are.

I never let myself dream about getting married–I never had a dream wedding planned out. So naturally, I didn’t allow myself to imagine what it could be like to be a mom. All I know is that God placed that desire in my heart and decided when and how that would happen.

The first time I admitted this “out loud “undreamed dream” of mine, I was at work and I talking to one of my coworkers. He and I were probably in our super early twenties comparing notes on what we were going to do after college. I remember getting so red in the face. (If you know me, the slightest provocation colors my face all sorts of shades. Ugh I so dislike that. Cuz when I’m aware it happened my face gets that much more red). But he thought nothing of it, in fact, he said it was so cool. Bless him.

I’ve always remembered this conversation as I continue to realize that the more honest I am about things like that, no one actually thinks I’m weird or odd–unlike I expect.

6. I served in Haiti for five years

For the first five years after we were married, I joined Chris on his trips to Haiti. His grandfather (who raised him) had started a ministry in 1981 called Mission to Haiti. Whenever we tell people this, I always feel like I have to clarify that we didn’t actually live there. We traveled back and forth from our home in South Florida and would stay for a week at a time.

The longest we ever stayed was 3 weeks–and this was when I became almost fluent. I say almost because between the time we went back home and the next trip I felt like I had to relearn it all over again.

So, what did we do in Haiti, you might ask? Chris was heavily involved in the child sponsorship program (really neat) and in the States I was his assistant. In Haiti I was mainly in the kitchen making the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. But eventually I started going with him on his trips to the schools–and these are the parts I remember the most fondly.

In the kitchen I made meals for 20-50+ people sometimes. It was a whole job but with a little advanced planning it always worked out well. I really enjoyed exercising my baking muscles by preparing cakes and things. It was the perfect place to do it–because I could make something each day and it would all get eaten up. Today I find I can more easily cook for a crowd than for just two adults and three children. My brain processes way more.

There’s a part of our hearts that we left behind in Haiti. But these are not quite the days to be going over there right now.

7. I’m still learning how to appreciate family.

Family is my kryptonite.

I adore my babies. I love my man. This weakness is not the problem.

My biggest flaw is that I struggle to appreciate family, the extras that you don’t get to choose to be a part of your life. I hide it okay but if you really, really know me you know what makes me tick. I feel like I’ve been robbed of knowing how to draw healthy boundaries and how to have a good balance with those that do not live under my roof. I wasn’t taught how growing up, so this handicap really trips me up now as an adult. And as a parent on top of that.

At my house, it was us five and no more, and automatically adopted that mentality because how could I know otherwise? It’s a challenge to open up my heart to just anybody. You gotta grow on me. Be genuine and kind to my kids and then I’ll let you in slowly.

I am thankful we’re breaking cycles because I see my kids loving just about everybody that comes to visit us.

8. I raised bunny rabbits

I wasn’t expecting things to get so deep, so let’s end on a sweet note.

For about ten years of my life I had bunny rabbits. My first one I named an elaborate Peanut Butter Cup, known during her short life as Peanut. She was a tri-colored mini rex. If you know rabbits, this is the one with the softest fur. I was just getting to know her when one night I somehow failed to latch her hutch door. I never saw her again.

My heart needed another one so I actually adopted her sister and named her Swee’ Pea, like the little baby in Popeye. She was the sweetest little bunny that ever was. Soft, small, light brown, and just plain ole’ sweet.

Let me tell you how sweet she was. By now, I kept the hutch on our back porch–instead of being further out in the yard. Whenever she’d see me come out the back door, she’d get up from whatever she was doing to come to her little door and lick me all over my hands and be held. She was so precious. I took her to farm fairs and she’d let strangers pet her little self. I also thoroughly enjoyed feeding her food out of my hand. Towards the end I remember her liking to eat these Kashi cereals we used to have.

Swee’ Pea lived for six beautiful years, my little bestie, until she passed away in my arms. I’ll never forget that moment.

I was a bunny person so I needed another to fill my heart. My sister had one at her horse farm, I remember. It wasn’t super well so that was a short month or two getting to know him.

Then I fell in love with these two buns at a pet store near the CFA I worked at. A lop-eared tri-colored cutie and a silky grey rex. I mean, come on, how could I choose between them?

So I didn’t. And brought them both back home aware that whether I have two girls or two boys I need to be prepared to settle any disputes. (And surely, I could tell they were the same.)

Well, I was the dummy.

They didn’t have any arguments and made babies instead!

I learned when I found a nest in the wooden shelter and immediately got the dad out into his own cage. Turns out floppy was the mister. The whole litter maybe lived a day or two since we weren’t prepared with proper nesting materials.

But not to worry we had a whole other litter and the majority survived. I got to witness her give birth and everything. The babies were so stinkin’ adorable. And now I had a whole rabbit family!

College was approaching so I had to rehome them all. But I will always remember these little creatures.

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Welp, now you know eight things about me that you didn’t know before.

What surprised you?