This is my second try finding a minute to blog in the last 24 hours, and with this sentence I am committed. This one goes out to you, Dr. Greinke, because you are probably one of the most important people who (not that, thanks for correcting me, I’ll never get “that” wrong again) reads my blog. Thank you, I really appreciate your support.

This semester, my first semester of my junior year of college (although by credits it is my second), has continued challenging me in ways I never saw coming. Being a leader is tough, but so very rewarding. That is the biggest lesson I’ve learned.

I’m the Director of New Member Education for my sorority, and the last few weeks have been my time to shine… And cry. A lot. I’ve learned that no matter how much you plan or how clear you think you’re making your intentions, things happen differently than expected and people judge you based on their own misunderstandings.

I’ve learned that girls are mean for the umpteenth time in my life.

But I’ve also learned that girls, especially your sorority sisters, can lift you up, just by being who they are. I’ve learned that tears are not a sign of weakness, they are a silent invitation for a much needed hug.

In this free minute from my busy day-to-day life, I am so thankful. I am thankful for the opportunity to substitute teach. I am thankful for the beautiful, wonderful 39 new members who continuously ask me questions and support my mission to prepare them for initiation next weekend.

I am thankful for my family at home, only 40 minutes away, always supportive. I am thankful for my boyfriend who has positively impacted my life and stood by my side for almost a year now. I am thankful for my community in Christ at the Baptist Student Union.

Just an hour ago, I was in Dr. Greinke’s office for my Formal Admission to Teacher Education interview, ironically acronymed (which is not a word and not Standard English but I like it… As an almost-English teacher, I can do that, right?) FATE. And like he has since the moment I first walked into his office 2 years ago, a lost puppy dog finally finding home, Dr. Greinke told me exactly what I needed to hear:

“You were born to be a teacher; it’s in your blood.”

So I don’t know what leadership position in Alpha Phi I will pursue in 2016, or where I’ll student teach, or even what exactly I’ll be doing after I graduate in May 2017. Heck, I just tried to tell Dr. Greinke what I’ll be doing in 10 years, but I don’t even know if the “married, settled down with kids, teaching and writing” answer encompasses everything or anything God has planned for my life.

However, I can say, with full confidence, no matter where I go or what I do, I will be teaching. Maybe that’s something I should’ve recognized in myself years ago (it seems like everyone I know has been able to see it from the moment they met me), but to get where I am today, even if given the chance, I wouldn’t change a thing. Because of who I am, all of it, I am a teacher.

Now back to my to do list…