I’m hoping this blog is a chance for me to share my journey to become a mother. As far as I’m aware, I’m the only one in my family and close circle of friends that has decided to take this journey without a significant other. So, I thought I’d share my journey and lay the framework if anyone knows of anyone else that wants to venture down this path. In sharing this adventure, I would like you to feel free to share your experiences too.

I thought I’d catch you up by recapping where I’ve been in the last decade pertaining to Dating & Relationships, Family & Friends, Work Life, and my Adventures. All of these items combined helped give me the confidence and courage to go on this next adventure.

Dating & Relationships
Over the years, I’ve been asked
• Have you tried online dating?
• Is there anyone at work that is datable?
• Do your friends know anyone single?

The answers are: Yes, No, and Not Really. Let me elaborate.
• Online dating is a cruel form of mass rejection. Some of my friends have met their significant others that way. I admire their courage to put themselves out there…and they found someone! I’ve tried multiple sites, I’ve been on a few dates, and even hid out in the ladies’ room of a restaurant! Needless to say, I found online dating exhausting.
• I have “fished off the company pier” before. Like other relationships, it ended. After that relationship, I started to reinvent myself. That was also the relationship that I stood up for myself. Our long term goals did not align and I was not willing to compromise on my dreams for his. From that point on, it was a general rule that dating people at work was generally a bad idea.
• Of course my friends have other single friends. One of the most awkward ways to have a conversation take a weird turn and make your friends feel weird, always ask them if they know anyone single. If they knew of anyone worth my while, I know my friends would have made the connection.

While my dating game might be off a little, I learned what values were important to me. Be true to yourself! Don’t compromise on your vision of where you want your road to lead! Love yourself!

Family & Friends
My philosophy has been your family is who you make it. I am so blessed to have a group of people around me that I am super close with. Each person brings a different strength and dynamic. Like many families, we have faced tragedy and difficult situations. It’s in those times that everyone steps up to the plate to help and support each other. Your family is who you should be able to be vulnerable around and ask for help. If this amount of love and support wasn’t around me, I likely would not feel courageous enough to go on this journey.

A family tree shouldn’t limit you on who you want your family to be.

Work Life
About 10 years ago, I took a promotion with my company and moved 90 miles away. This was the first major time that I was not geographically close to my friends and family. Since I didn’t “go away” for college, we joked that these were my college years. I see why going away to college is so important. I grew up a lot in those 18 months. I went out of my comfort zone, joined the YMCA, and went on blind dates set up by the ladies in my yoga classes. If my work situation weren’t so stressful, I would have enjoyed the experience so much more. Suffice it to say, she did not live by the Golden Rule. Once I moved back to Columbus, I was given an opportunity to work for one of our senior executives. I knew if I showed her everything I had, others would notice. And did they did notice. I’ve been able to work for some of the most caring people that love to help others. Going to work is energizing and rewarding because we are working towards a common goal. With hard work and determination, I’ve been able to have awesome responsibilities like co-chairing our Pelotonia team and positively impact my colleagues and customer’s lives.

Find a boss that will foster your creativity to explore and won’t break your spirit. Keep learning.

Adventures
One of my dear friends that I met at work did a charity bike ride with me…Pelotonia. We rode 45 miles on very hilly roads that took us about 6 hours. We had a ball. While my friend was ringing her bike bell, I was waving to everyone like I was a rock star. After we finished, my friend said, “I’ve always wanted to do a half marathon. It will only take about half the time this course did.” My hesitant response was, “I hate running. Friends support each other in their crazy dreams. So, sure, I’ll do it. I’m only gonna do one.” During that first trip, I met another friend who has since become another sister. After I crossed the first finish line, I was signed up for 2 more races in less than a week. After traveling to additional races with friends, eighteen months later, we decided to run a half marathon in all 50 states. We completed this journey in January 2019 in Hawaii. It’s been a wonderful way to see our country. There have been so many cheers of encouragement, laughing so hard we cry moments, and creating a bond stronger than any amount of miles between us. 

Surround yourself with people that empower each other. Seek out others who share your passions.

While I shared many of the positive highlights, there were negative moments too that included a lot of tears. I learned to depend on those around me, ask for help, and accept the help when offered. Those last two are hard. I’m sure this current journey will also be a roller coaster of emotions, I’m so excited to hop on the ride.