and here we are. summer might be not be over according to the calendar, but for me (and most teachers), this is the end. i went to work today and yesterday and set up my classroom, attended meetings, and had mini freak out sessions with my co-teacher. as jarring as it is in my profession for summer to end, i actually love the fact that i get multiple "fresh starts"--new semesters, beginning of summer, new school year. this summer has been no exception. it was incredible for so many reasons, but mainly because of all of the newness.
last year was a really tough year for me. i don't know that i've ever been truly depressed before, but i know i was this past year. it didn't feel like i thought it would because i didn't necessarily recognize it when i was in the midst of it, but when i described how i felt to others i was like...ok, that is depression. good things came of it though. having never felt that way before i knew i couldn't ever go through it again and it pushed me to make a change. i got my dream job at a school close by and i felt like things were starting to go my way. my summer was full of lazy mornings, trips with friends, and getting excited for my new job. then, on our five year first date anniversary, mike and i got engaged! even though we had discussed marriage before, the proposal came as a total surprise. everything about it was perfect and i still smile and spontaneously hug him when i think about it. i can't help but feel like things are changing in a good way. for all of the struggles that we all face--and i definitely have my fair share--i have a pretty great life. i love where i live, i have great friends, i'm closer with my parents than ever before...things are pretty good and i just know that things get even better from here.
i have a long weekend ahead of me before i get to meet my new students on monday, and i'm definitely going to spend a lot of it being thankful.
