About this time last year, I was hanging out with Erin and
Grant and we were just chitchatting like we did almost everyday. I was talking
about my future career and life when Erin semi-jokingly interjects, “Wait! You don’t
want to be our nanny for the rest of your life?!” We all laughed and then Grant
started making me offers to try to get me to consider it. But the fact of the
matter was, despite the idea of not being Cadie, Ranger, and Colton’s nanny
being heartbreaking, the thought of only ever being their nanny was also
heartbreaking. Haha!
By the end of February, I had been promoted at my part-time
job to being a full-time Pastry Chef. Life was crazy, but somehow I managed to
work there full-time and Nanny 3 days a week. But by April, I was exhausted and
had to tell Erin that my last day would be in July. The next several months
were a whirl-wind, and the next thing I knew, it was July, the amazing new
nanny was about to start, I HATED my Pastry Chef job, and I was applying everywhere
in sight. It came down to the wire, but in August I landed an incredible job as
a consultant for a marketing analytics firm in August and moved out just a few weeks
later.
The most bittersweet time of my life so far was this past summer. Watching my time with the Walsh’s come to an end was almost heartbreaking enough to reconsider Grant’s offer. But God had much bigger plans for all us. It feels like my adult life has finally started and I couldn't be more excited about it. And honestly, I would have never been prepared for any of it without everything that the Walsh's taught me. So without further adieu, let me reflect a little on the best, and most
challenging, three years of my life so far.
Three years ago this past August, my life started down a path that
would radically change me forever. I was working for DD at DBU and just about
to start grad school there. But I needed to pick up a part time job, so DD
connected me with Erin. What started as 2 days a week, soon became 3, and
next thing I know, 9 months into the job, I moved in! I was really nervous
about moving in out of fear that it would feel like I was never off the
clock and wouldn’t be able to have my own life. Not only was that definitely no
the case, but this was also one of the best decicsion I have ever made. The Walshs and Gullucksons embraced me as one of their own. They truly
became my family.
Erin:
I instantly loved Erin (but really, who doesn’t?) and knew
that we would be great friends, although it may have been the fact that she wore
yoga pants and her hair in a ponytail to interview me. Either way, we were
destined to be friends. Erin has
truly become one of the best friends I have ever had. I honestly can come to her for
everything, from boy drama and discussing everyday life, to seeking her council
for major life decisions and spiritual guidance. Erin has taught me how to be a
loving and supportive wife, a gentle and creative mother, that everyone being
happy, safe, and loved is more important than every detail of the house being
perfectly in order, and most importantly, she has shown the best example of
what a wise and godly woman looks like. Erin is truly the best boss and friend anyone could ever ask for.
Grant:
Though I didn’t get to really know Grant until after I moved
in, he basically become my big brother. Grant always went out of his way to
treat me as one of his own, from not thinking twice before seeing my car mirror
broke and immediately going out and buying one and even installing it for me,
to flat out telling me that I am dating the wrong guy and gave me a list of
reasons why I should break up with him. (He was right too. Actually, as much as
Erin and I don’t like to admit it, he is always right…) Much like Erin, I am able to come to Grant for advice on basically everything because honestly Grant knows at
least a little about everything, and if he doesn’t, he’ll stop what he is doing
to go find out for you. He is always challenged me and inspired me to do
better. Grant is a hilarious, intentional, godly father and husband and has set
a great example for me of what to look for in guys.
Cadie "Sister":
It's hard to believe that this munchkin was once very apprehensive of me. She was a feisty, smart, little stinker who could throw a temper tantrum that would make you seriously question if you really wanted to have have kids someday. But watching her grow into a hilarious, sweet, caring, creative, witty, beautiful little lady has truly been an honor. Cadie and I became more than just friends, we became sisters. In fact, that's what we call one another. We did everything together; cooked, cleaned, gardened, made crafts, painted our nails, did our make-up, did homework together, and we even took naps together. She would constantly come up with brilliant ideas, creative stories, and hysterical jokes. I loved to just spend time with my "littlest sister"; she lit up my world.
Ranger Danger:
Erin was still pregnant with Ranger when I started.
Honestly, I don’t think I was really qualified to help raise a newborn back then, but Erin had
faith in me and promised to teach me along the way. Wow, this little man truly
stole my heart from day 1. I never wanted to put him down, ever. Actually, I’m
pretty sure I either carried him in my arms or strapped him to me for the first
year of his life. Haha! I so cherished those first 2 years with him. Cadie was in
school 2 days a week so the 2 of us would just go on adventures everyday; we had a blast! Ranger is tough, extremely smart, hilarious little stinker with the sweetest heart.
Colton:
I remember walking into the kitchen about this time last year and Erin and Grant we're just beaming ear to ear. Erin said, "guess what?!" Jokingly I replied, "you're pregnant", and much to my surprise, I was right! I pray that I can one day be 1/2 as happy of a pregnant woman as Erin was. It truly breaks my heart that I will never get to be Peanut's nanny. But, at least I got to steal lot's of newborn snuggles from him before I moved out!
These kids have made so excited to be a mom someday. Now I wont lie, Cadie and Ranger were definitely not perfect. Sometimes they had bad days that would end with all 3 of us in time out and crying for mom to get home. But those brief rough spots were so far outweighed by countless wonderful days and moments. I loved being woke up every morning by Cadie walking in my room and snuggling up on "her side" of the bed, then later ranger would join us. I loved bad weather days when we would all snuggle up for a movie. I loved taking them on adventures and spending our days just playing. I loved just being their playmate, their referee, their friend, their "biggest" sister - their nanny.
The past 3 years have been the most stable thing I have ever known in my life. The Walsh's gave me independence, yet the security of being in a
safe place with people who loved me. They have taught me
what it looks like to be in a family whose main priority in life is one another - no matter the cost. They have gotten me through break-ups, illness, family
problems, spiritual trials, grad-school classes that I thought might actually be
the death of me, and honestly, they got me through the unstable phase of life where a college kid somehow becomes a mature adult. I don’t want to know where or who I would be without
them. I love them desperately; they will forever be my family.
