You Like Me....You Really Like Me!

I am not sure how well this story will translate but I want it down so that I can re-read it years from now...

Today I experienced a first.  One of my "kids" introduced me to her boyfriend.  Like went of of her way and his way so that we could finally meet and greet. 

And he's fantastic.  But I already knew that.  I've heard nothing but rave reviews about this boy for the last nine months.  He absolutely lived up to his reputation. 

But this was the first time that someone I've advised thought so highly of me to introduce me to her significant other.  I am just blown away by the gesture. 

When I first started working with this group, more than five years ago, I never in a million years would have predicted that I would walk away with friendships.  To say my term started out on rocky ground is a royal understatement.  And that rocky ground period lasted the better part of three years.  There were a lot of unpredictable factors that played into that, but in general, I sort of hated this volunteer gig.  It made me cry and whine.  A lot.  No one liked me.  I am not really sure why I stuck it out.  Likely a good bit to do with guilt.  Knowing that even if I wasn't doing a stellar job, at least I was doing something and no one else wanted it.  Not that I blamed them. 

But the last few years have been very different for me.  Not perfect of course.  But dare I say, I've actually had a good bit of fun along the way.  A lot has to do with my fellow advisors.  Some old and some new but we just seem to finally gel really well.  And as I have said several times, the team I had last year...those "kids" were just amazing!  I felt such a strong bond with many of them that made all the hard work and long hours so much less stressful and more fun.  And this year's team of "kids" is really fantastic too. 

I am not sure what the magic combination of factors was that turned things around for me, but I am so joyful that I stuck it out to see this side of the coin.  Oh, it's all still plenty stressful and sometimes rather frustrating.  But the human connections make it easier to over look.  They make me laugh my booty off.  And I know I make them laugh, usually just by rambling on about some story from my childhood or college days. 

Today, I was proven wrong.  In the best possible way.  On some teeny tiny spectrum, I made a difference and I managed to do something right along the way.  Holy heck, that's an important realization.  It really does make even the cruddiest of times worth it to find out that you have made a positive impression on another.  They really like me!  Mostofthetime.