Before I introduce myself, let me start by saying that this is my first blog post, so expect extremely amateur work here. As a new blogger, I felt like it was only appropriate to share a little bit about myself and my intent with this blog. My name is Tessa, but some of those closest to me call me “T”. I hated my name for most of my adolescent life…all the substitutes got it wrong in school, making others laugh…no one understood what I was saying when I would say my name, and I would have to repeat myself over and over, eventually having to spell it…even now, when I have to speak to a customer service representative on the phone, I find myself automatically spelling it out because they always hear “Jessica” or “Theresa” no matter how much I articulate. This is going to sound silly, but when I was younger, I wanted my name to be Kelly so badly. Saved By The Bell was super popular at the time and I just remember thinking how much easier it would be to just say “Kelly”. Now, in my somewhat-matured age, I understand that my name is what makes me who I am and gives me the uniqueness that I wouldn’t change for the world. I feel like it is also important to add that Tessa spelled backwards is Asset…coincidence? I don’t think so.
I have circled the sun thirty-seven times. I have been with my soulmate (cliche, I know, but facts) for 19 years, and we are about to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. I could write a whole sappy post about my love for him and our relationship, but I will save that for another day. We have three children together: Sugar Bear (17, girl), SONshine (3, boy), and Mo (11 months, boy). No, those aren’t their real names, but their affectionately given nicknames that I will refer to them as throughout this blog (for the sake of what little privacy it offers them). It takes no rocket scientist to look at the ages of my children and know that I am in three very different stages of motherhood. Each stage is just as scary and fantastic as the other. However, I wish someone would write a legit instruction manual already. I am the oldest of three kids with a younger brother and a younger sister. I remember my mom telling me some time years ago that my brother, sister, and I all had to be “handled” differently because we were three very different personalities. At the time, I completely dismissed her comment…I mean, how can three people with the same genetics be that different??? Turns out, she was more right than I care to admit, but I am learning as I go and this chapter of building my own family has been a magical adventure.
I recently “retired” as an elementary teacher to become a stay-at-home mom. I use the term “retire” loosely, since I am nowhere near retirement age and hope to return to education one day. Also, raising two tiny humans is hardly different than being in an elementary classroom. Teaching isn’t just a job for me, but a calling on my life. Aside from my family, it is the achievement that I am most proud of. Due to a series of events at home this past year, and various needs of my family, I have put my career on hold for the moment. I am not going to lie, walking away was one of the hardest things I have done so far. I know most moms would do anything to be able to stay at home with their kids and are probably judging me for being so torn in my decision, but teaching is something I worked hard for, am good at, feel passionately about, and LOVE to do. I am going to venture out and say that the majority of our population cannot say that about their job. Full disclaimer, it has only been a few months and I can already tell you that it is wayyyyy easier to teach someone else’s kids than it is to manage your own, but with that being said, I do not forsee a future where I regret that decision. In the short time that I have been home from work, I have been able to fully potty train SONshine, have watched Mo take his first steps, got Sugar Bear ready for prom and her first job, and I cannot wait to see what the days, weeks, and years ahead hold for us.
Among the roles already mentioned in my “bio”, I am also:
a daughter
a sister
an aunt
a caretaker for both of my grandmothers
a friend
a Christian
a Millennial
southern
loud
bold
feisty
stubborn
soooo type A
going to say what everyone else is scared to
impatient
short fused
a control freak
a people pleaser
a mediocre cook, at best
an introverted extrovert
an advocate
and many other things that you will discover about me if you follow me on this journey.
Speaking of journey….that’s kind of why we are here isn’t it? Being a new stay-at-home mom has been an adjustment, and as much as I love my angels, it can be very isolating. I didn’t account for how much I would miss adult interaction considering how eighty-five percent of the adults I know get on my nerves, but I have quickly realized that I need an outlet. I seriously doubt that my husband is going to tolerate me vomiting out every adult thought I have had in the hours that he was gone when he returns home each day. So, join me as we spill some tea about life’s topics…
Love,
T
Leave a Reply