Who am I? I ask myself this all the time. Mother, wife, career woman, friend, American, Middle Eastern...we have so many labels. Have you ever asked yourself just to answer to yourself? It's a really interesting point of view, who are you to yourself?
This was a struggle for me. My husband wonders if I am a robot. I believe it to be a compliment, he is just amazed of how efficient I am... But in all seriousness, I think a huge part of how I function is knowing myself. Just as important, my support system knows who I am. I am not going to talk about him too much but I do need to mention that I am married to my biggest fan. If you know him, then you know what I mean. Paul is my biggest cheerleader. But it wasn't always like that.
I remember being young and in love and immature. Nights were filled with constant arguments that led to days without speaking. Early in our marriage and even after Sammy, we weren't at the place we are now. I wish I could pinpoint a time, a place, or a moment when this big, life changing event happened that completely changed our marriage, but I can't, because it wasn't earth shattering. It was this quiet transition into maturity. We used to be jealous and confrontational as a couple and now...we are who we are. We allow each other to still be ourselves. It's as if there was a mutual, unspoken understanding that we are happier together when we can acknowledge our happiness as individuals.
Me as an individual, loves to travel, eat, shop, work, be with friends and family and go to Disney...often. If you follow me on Facebook then you know I took an unexpected trip to Nicaragua, just this past summer, a week in Italy and not to mention my frequent and random trips to Disney. While most of you think I am crazy and unrealistic, my husband is planning and making arrangements so I can go. Every trip was encouraged. He knows, he knows who I am and what I value. He knows that I will return a happy person who has come back with so much gratitude, appreciation and a great outlook on life.
I know what you are thinking...what does he get in return? Well, our first mistake is thinking like that, as if living our lives needs to be a she does, he does game. That is not how we function as a couple. It's more like, there is an opportunity, let’s talk about it and see if we can make it work. And it works both ways. Life is filled with so many missed opportunities because we never took the time to even think they were possible.
I started this post with the intentions to finish it with explaining more about who I am but I got off track a little bit. I will end it with this...I think it's important to know that I can’t do what I do without the one I said “I do” to.
Until next time...
-Deena
Comments