Role Models

Every girl growing up looks to their parents for role models. I did this growing up and I still do. I am so fortunate to have a handful of people that I look to for advice, conversations, and talks.  

My mother of course is one of those people. She pretty much raised me as an only child with help from my wonderful grandparents. Together the three of them created me to be the woman that I am today. 

I have also been fortunate to have married into a pretty wonderful family. My father in law Ben is a wonderful, caring, loving, hard working man. My sister in law Lisa is one of a kind. She is dedicated,  hard working, caring, and overall sweet. My mother in law Janet is focused, loving, dedicated, hard working and a wonderful role model to me. I recently caught up with Janet and asked her some questions about her and Ben and their past and going into their future. She is a very private person so answering my questions was difficult for her, so I am much appreciative for what she did for me.

How long have you been married? - 

We will be married 31 years in August.

What has been the hardest part about marriage so far? - 

Nothing stands out as being specifically hard.  Sometimes just life is hard.  and if you have a good partner it makes it a lot easier. 

What would you say to a newlywed about staying married for a long period of time?

Be adaptable - don't get set in your ways.  Things change during your marriage and you have to be willing to change with them,  At first it's just the two of you and you have to adjust to thinking of the other - and then kids might come along and you have to adapt to that.  It's about growing together never apart.  

You both work full time, does that ever affect your marriage in a negative way? (not getting to spend time together, both working hard, etc?)

No -  work has never affected our marriage negatively.  When I did not work that was stressful on the marriage.  Being at home with kids all day, and not having the extra money was stressful.  But work has never been an issue with us. 

Did having children strengthen your marriage? -

I wouldn't say it strengthened - It added to it, Like putting a bow on a package.  The paper alone is pretty, but the ribbon and bow put it all together...(not sure where I got that from???)  Children can be stressful and if the marriage is not strong to begin with having children can make it difficult on the relationship.

What advice do you have for new couples, newly engaged couples, newlyweds, o married couples in general?

It's really important to be best friends,  He/she has to be the first person you want to tell good and or bad news to.  Also it's important to always be independent.  Be your own person and don't depend on the other person for your happiness.

I am so grateful for Janet for giving me this interview and truly helping me to become the wife I am today and the wife/mother I hope to become in the future!

Stay tuned later this week for our much exciting look into a rain delay at a nascar race and how it affects Tim and I