Team

 

My team =

Co-workers

Friends

Family

Support system

The only Americans I interact with on a daily basis. 

 

What I am living out with my team is something most people never experience. The community in every aspect of my life this year includes/is made up of the same five other women.  

My team =

Beauty

Pain

Laughter

Annoyance

Tears

Honesty

Personality

Community

We are each other’s dirty mirrors. We can’t hide the ugly things about ourselves from each other like we can from our friends or co-workers at home. 

We step on each other’s toes, we know each other’s weaknesses, and we have to choose to love each other. 

When I’m messy, grumpy, angry, lazy, or the one to finish the last of the cookies, it affects them, too. Selfishness reaches farther than myself in a more visible way than ever.

I hate it and I love it and it’s so good for me. 

It’s good for all of us. 

 

And through the struggles, heart-pulling conversations, and day-to-day drudge, I love, love, LOVE my teammates. 

Natalie is a straightforward bougie queen whose randomness is hilarious and surprising.

Alex is a quirky ray of sunshine who both challenges and accepts with a loving heart. 

Jenessa is a lion cub, eagerly tripping through life while demanding justice and good food for all. 

Bethany is a songbird, zipping and twirling through changes in the wind while looking for a place to nest.

Susie is the epitome of a servant leader, loving her fledgling team with patience and understanding. 

And Laura is the blessed mess, being loved on by these tremendous, personality-filled women.

Thank you, team.

 And a special thanks to Alex and Natalie, the loving roommates who have to put up with my face the most.