Every opportunity has a cost. Sometimes, you have to pay it at the arcade. With tokens. While wearing sequins.
Sometimes, of course, being last Monday.
You see, this year has been full of opportunities. Shockingly full. So full that I struggle knowing this year has been so, so hard for many.
But I was able to attend my first Texas School class! A dream of mine for the last 20 years finally came true when my mom let me drop off ALL FIVE kids at her house in Tennessee and then travel on to Texas alone.
I’m still reeling from being accepted into the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program! After the enormous time commitment of the last three months, I am graduating this week with a growth plan ready to be implemented.
I was invited to speak on my first national stage. What!?! Who ever was on that committee was taking a leap of faith giving me a main stage spot, but I can’t wait for SYNC 2022 in Destin, Florida.
And then within a week, I was also asked to give the same presentation to the Texas Professional Photographers Association this October – oh my!
These are enormous opportunities. But they have a cost.
That cost is paid by my family.
Now, because I homeschool, I am not filled with remorse leaving my children a little. I am with them. All. The. Time. Literally.
But Matthew is not home all day. He has his own unique demands from his work. His own travel schedule with his church coaching.
So as the opportunities added up this year, we knew we needed to make connection a higher priority. Better communication (that isn’t only about what is for dinner). More walks together (even if the toddler is with us). And more date nights. (In the last few years – there were many months where we would realize at First Friday, that our last date night was the last First Friday… and while those are a blast – we barely talk to each other at them because we are catching up with friends!)
Many of you have heard me joke “I’m just trying to stay married over here!” But I am. The guy who supports me no matter how crazy the idea, and loves me even when I am downright unlovable, very clearly asked for more date nights without friends.
So last Monday, at the arcade, we played all the tokens. I smoked him at Tetris. He smoked me at Tekken Tag. And we both struggled with Pinball.
And he told me he is proud of me. That is worth all the sequins in the world.
So, what can I help you celebrate in this season?
Kat