Finding friends I could be myself with in high school and staying in touch with them to this day.
A family who enjoys each other’s company.
Mom’s never-ending acts of service and care.
Dad’s humor and coaching, teaching me Carpe Diem and to be my own cheerleader.
In-laws I love and a family-by-marriage that is a joy to be part of.
The chance to know all of my grandparents.
Frequent family reunions that built relationships with my cousins in Oregon, Texas, France, and beyond… and introduced me to travel early on.
Two grandmothers who, in some ways, were opposites but both lived just about to 100 years old. Learning how much of my personality I share in common with grand-mère.
Friends and family who went along with my early inklings of entrepreneurship and project management as a child, from a handmade jewelry shop in the basement and unsanctioned lemonade stand at a State Park, to orchestrating “practice” for a “circus” performance and making movies with lego and Barbies.
The opportunity to try different things as a child, even if I never got very good at them – gymnastics, swimming, golf (still really not a fan – sorry, not sorry), soccer, drawing, pottery, CCTV.
The time I wanted to quit tennis and my parents made me finish the season. Not because I learned something about discipline or never giving up, but I suppose I realized it wasn’t the end of the world to participate for a few more weeks. (It did, however, clarify that – for me -competition takes the fun out of activities.)
My early jobs as a sports photographer’s printing assistant, an office assistant, and a day camp counselor.
The first time I held a check over $1,000 was when my grand-mère helped cover expenses for a summer volunteer internship in another country.
Talented teachers whose passion for their subject awakened my interests in things like psychology.
A chance to be part of Mr. Wenz’s championship choir, though the real value was all he taught us about life and being part of something meaningful as a group.
The works of C.S. Lewis, Fr. Richard Rohr, and other author-mentors who expanded my views of theology, salvation, and justice beyond America’s narrow version of Christianity.
A liberal arts education that allowed me to pursue interests in French, Psychology, and Philosophy with all kinds of electives.
College friends and professors who told me hard truths and opened my eyes to ways I needed to grow.
The hilarious professor who taught physics for non-science majors. I appreciated flexing that side of my brain, and he made it fun. (I still have my notebook from that class, where I wrote down his outrageous examples and funny asides.)
Living in an amazing on-campus house, charged with producing weekend events, and discovering my knack for event planning.
The chance to volunteer with Special Olympics and other service projects that opened my eyes.
The chance to study abroad in Paris and Florence, and intern for two summers in the Dominican Republic. Meeting long-term travelers and learning languages.
A supervisor who reflected to me another hard truth about how I come across to other people when working under stress – opening my eyes more ways I still needed to grow.
An ankle injury in college taught me how hard it can be to rebuild fitness, which led me to develop a daily habit of exercise so it’s easier to keep going than to stop.
Jobs in college like grading Statistics papers, supporting the Entrepreneurial Leaders class, planning campus events, typing for the French teacher, being an RA for upper classmen, and barista at a coffeeshop on campus.
Being part of the early Millennial generation who remembers life before 9/11 and cell phones. We are the outliers who are fluent in both analog and digital.
Meeting Jedd and the many “signs and wonders” that brought us together when I thought there couldn’t be someone who wanted to do life the same way I do.
The pastor who told us “pre-marital counseling” as soon as he met us, not knowing we had just been debating whether it would be worth the cost. … It was worth the cost.
Working at a University with student leaders who were passionate about justice, and all the benefits of sharing life on campus with students and fellow staff.
Traveling with students to Nicaragua and the US/Mexico Border immersion experience for my job. I’ve never learned so much (that stuck with me) in such a short time.
The time my colleague refused to take on responsibilities outside of her role when our office didn’t have a Director. It was a first hand lesson in healthy boundaries – even when there’s a need that you could technically fulfill, why say yes unless it helps both you and the organization thrive?
That “heated discussion” with Jedd when we had money in escrow to buy a house in Portland, and I realized I’d always regret it if we didn’t try living abroad before we settled down. It wasn’t a fun moment at the time, but I’m so thankful we went through it.
Friends from our life group who let us live with them while in limbo – after we had quit our jobs and before our Peace Corps assignment. Jedd and I both actually liked sharing life together with other families, more than we expected. (And I appreciate the grace I was given for leaving the garage door open.)
Peace Corps in rural Jamaica – the “toughest job you’ll ever love” – and all the amazing people in our community. That experience changed how we see the world, how we travel, and gave us a sense of resilience.
Discovering the possibility of becoming digital nomads, thanks to the internet, and our first freelance clients that helped make our own nomadic experiment possible.
The first baby who made me an Aunty, born – as if a personal birthday gift – on the day before my birthday!
Seeing all our brothers become fathers, getting to know our beloved nieces and nephews, and watching them become their own people.
Living part of each year with my parents, being in each other’s “bubble” during the pandemic, daily walks after dinner, and sharing the benefits of multi-generational living.
Surviving the collective trauma that was 2020 (and beyond) with remote work skills and Peace-Corps-level resilience already under our belt.
The loss of freelance clients from the pandemic that opened up new opportunities to co-create Chicca’s Cooking Club.
Being a solopreneur, getting to set my own schedule, collaborating with people in different parts of the world, and constantly learning as both the travel and the online business landscape continue to shift.
All the people I’ve crossed paths with in my life – those close to home and far away – who have taught me something, whether they meant to or not. 🙂
Bonus item: I’m also fortunate to have a younger, strapping husband who can carry me to the car when my foot needs a rest!
