Girls are pretty awesome, we’re fans. Inspired by the women’s marches that happened all over the world Saturday - ladies, this one is for you. Thank you all for being some boss ladies who don’t take no crap from nobody.
To the Women in my Family
Lukas and I planned to do this blog earlier as the intro indicated, but life events such as marriage, children, and 9 to 5’s often take precedent over our pastimes. Anyhow, we thought since mother’s day was coming up it would be a good opportunity to revisit this topic and thank not only the mothers and grandmothers out there, but all women in our lives who have made an impact and kick ass on a daily basis.
I’d first like to recognize and thank my wife, Courtney, for her love, support, being an amazing mother to our daughter, as well as being an all around awesome person and my best friend. As I’ve mentioned to Lukas before, Courtney is my true soul mate and the Ying to my Yang. We share a lot in common with one another like how much music and intentionality means to us. We also love dumb humor and can often be found laughing at each others burps and farts as well as cracking up and quoting movies like “Talladega Nights,” “The Other Guys,” and any other Will Ferrell or older Adam Sandler movie you could think of.
Courtney and I are also very different, but balance each other out in the best possible ways. I’m admittedly an introvert who enjoys my alone time and occasionally have anxiety and avoids new social situations. Courtney is an extrovert who doesn’t care what people think and often pushes me to step outside my comfort zone in order to confront these types of fears head on. I’m a mostly easy going guy who can at times remind Courtney when something isn’t worth the attention she’s giving it; but she can also remind me when I need to step my game up and stop feeling sorry for myself. (I should point out that my easy going nature doesn’t apply to when our daughter wakes up at 3:00 AM, but I’m trying to work on that.)
Courtney is just an awesome individual who I fell in love with pretty quickly because of her confidence, intelligence, and sense of humor. We’ve already been through a hell of a lot as a couple and I look forward to every adventure and struggle that we experience for the remainder of our lives. I strive to be a better person everyday and often look to the example she sets in areas where I may be lacking. I couldn’t imagine anyone who would compliment me more than she does and am so thankful to have such a loving and supportive partner by my side.
My daughter, Eliza is almost nine months old and while we haven’t gotten to speak to each other much yet, she already makes my day brighter and I enjoy the time that I do get to spend with her. I didn’t imagine I’d be a dad until much later, but getting to see her amazement in new discoveries and sharing in that joy with the woman I love is such an amazing gift. I can’t wait until I get to come home and play around with her in our yard, teach her new things, and watch her grow into an amazing young lady.
Next I’d like to give a shout out to my mom and sister, who are also confident, hard-working, independent, and funny women that I’m lucky enough to have in my life. My mom is one of the strongest people that I know and has worked hard and persevered where many would’ve given up long ago. She has given me a great deal of advice over the years and has had a hand in shaping the man that I am today. There are periods and events of my life that I’m not proud of and where I may have turned my back on myself, but my mom has always stood by me no matter what situation has been in my life. She is now a terrific grandmother to my daughter, Eliza, and Courtney and I always appreciate her watching Eliza for a little while so that we can have a little time together.
My sister, Ashley, is an very independent and intelligent person who is about to graduate from the College of Charleston this weekend! She is about to embark on her master’s degree at Winthrop University this fall and will be the first person in our family to obtain a secondary degree. Ashley and I have always been close and I could always count on her to have my back whenever we were growing up. She’s also very funny and shares my sense of goofy humor. I’m incredibly proud of her and am looking forward to seeing where life takes her in the coming years. I’m sure as Eliza grows older she’ll also be a great outlet for her to complain about how lame her dad is and how unfair he can be as well.
Finally, I’d like to give a shout out to my lady in-laws who have done so much to make me feel welcome in their family as well as helping us out in so many ways. Kathy, Courtney’s mom, takes a large burden of finding a daycare by staying with Eliza on days during the week while we’re at work. She never puts up a fuss and is always willing to help when we need her to help us out on extra unexpected days too. Kylie, Courtney’s sister, has done a lot since we’ve arrived in Greenville to ensure that we have a place to stay and that we are comfortable and happy in our working and social lives. She is also a great aunt who never minds playing with Eliza so that mom and dad can have a few minutes to breathe too.
These are all of the women that I interact with in my life the most, so if I left anyone out just know that I appreciate all of you and the impact you make on the world on a daily basis. Mothers, grandmothers, or not, we truly appreciate the time and effort you put into everything you do and our world would be undoubtedly worse off without you in it.
Further Appreciations of Women
Hey gang. You ever think there's something to the idea that women are smarter than men? My dudes reading this, hear meowt. When was the last time you had a problem that you couldn't figure out yourself that you didn't go to the closest females in your life for advice about? Maybe it's just me. Either way, imma give some shoutouts to the fabulous ladies in my life.
Kate
If I did nothing but sing this kid's praises I don't think I’d ever run out of things to say. She’s the strongest and fiercest young soul I’ve ever met. Even though she doesn't think so most of the time. Hers is not my story to tell, but she's seen some shit and taught me some things that shape who I am and what I intend to do with my life always, every day, whether I’m cognizant of it or not. Ours is one of few friendships I have complete trust in. That's a rare thing. Since I've known her, she's always believed in me, and I think everybody needs that. She's called me out once or twice too, and she's one of the few people I calmly take that from. She's a tough cookie, and she needs to learn that it's ok to let people get to her sometimes, it doesn't mean she's weak. I love and will always back that kid, period. She's my cub after all.
Ma
The gentlest and kindest soul I’ve ever met is hands down my mother. Sometimes the sensitivity that comes with that frustrates me, and I feel badly about that, because the world surely needs more people in it like Moma Honeycutt. Although maybe not quite as open to new things as us millennials, she has always been open to anything new I’ve showed her or introduced her to; successes include Paul Rudd movies and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, while notable flops were the tv show Skins and Metalcore music. She always strives to teach her students creatively and with love, and wants to see them succeed almost as much as she wants to see my sisters and me happy and my newly-retired dad relaxed and awake past 8 pm. That woman is the human embodiment of goodwill and protective concern, I’ll always love her and be grateful for that.
Pandabear
Yes, she's a kitten. But it's been very cool to watch her grow up and learn her personality by watching her interactions with her brother. She's a spunky little thing; she squeaks a lot, and she never stops trying to play with Sam, even when he snubs her. And sometimes she needs her space and privacy, too - even from me (probably especially from me). But she still always wakes me up after I snooze my alarm by licking my face and purring, and she always shows affection to me and Sam. So I thought she deserved her own little section.
Sisters
I don't know them that well, but I’ll always have their backs. The things they've accomplished are impressive, for both of them in their own special ways. I imagine one day I'll need to lean on them, and I know they’ll be there when I need them most. I like laughing with them and teasing mom and dad, those are the times when we feel most like a family I think. And we're all doing the same thing, in our own ways - teaching, defending, supporting and healing. I know mom and dad are proud of us, but even if in some crazy universe they weren't, we should be fuckin proud of ourselves. We’ve each gone through our own shit and we’re still standing. One of us married a dude cool enough for me to call brother, one of us is resourceful and independent as can be, and the other… well, the other is helping people in his own way, until he can help them professionally, and he's proud to have sisters like his.
Therapists
And, almost finally, my therapists. I have 3, technically, and each one is helpful in her own way. Kristina believes in my ability to get through treatment and come out a healthier, more whole person on the other side. She also accommodates my eagerness to learn and flaunt my knowledge very gracefully and professionally. She's one of few people I trust, and I'm grateful that we’re a good therapeutic match.
Jennifer lets me talk. Not that Kristina doesn't, but Jennifer lets me blather on and will blather on with me. Our sessions are typically less focused, but she has taught me skills that I actually use and find beneficial to get through the more daunting challenges in life. And there are just as many introspective revelations to be had with her as with Kristina. She's another of few people who I trust. It's an amazing thing, to have 3 people work together and in conjunction with you to help you heal. I'm glad she's a component of my treatment.
And Brittany. Britney? Dunno. But I’ll be honest- I didn't put much stock in energy work and chakras and “hippie dippie” holistic healing until I started working with her. None of it ever made me feel anything. But Reiki does. Reiki helps me relax and focus on what's important, and I genuinely look forward to our sessions every week. That's in no small part thanks to her - she's excellent at what she does, and I’m excited to continue learning from her.
One last one - Courtney
I don't know her that well. From what I understand, we’re both close and far apart ideologically. But she brings the best out in my best friend. She's helped him focus, gain confidence, and whig out less. And I know their baby girl Eliza does the same for him. And I love them both for that. So my last thank you on this list celebrating women is for them. But know that all you women are amazing and have something to add to this world, on a small scale or otherwise. Thank y’all for being you, we love and appreciate you.
