Skip to main content

An Open Letter To My Teacher

Dear Tess,

While I've had many teachers throughout my life, none have brought as much meaning to my life as you have. Even though you aren't technically one of my teachers, you still manage to give me a life lesson every now and then, and for that, I'll always be grateful.

You've taught me what it means to be a Christian.
You're the one. The one who brought me back to my faith. The one who was persistent and showed compassion on me, even if I didn't deserve it. The one who made me step back and realize what a woman who loves God looks like. And I wanted to be just like you. Reaching out to me after the whirlwind year I went through, I didn't think much of your invitation. No way could I face God after what he put me through, but you showed and taught me what a loving God he is. He always has a purpose and will never leave one of his children in a time of need. 

You've taught me what a woman is.
I'm in such awe of you. The way you carry and present yourself, to the way you live your life authentically, without fear of what others think. I admire that, because not many people are able to do that. I see the way you are with your fiance, and whether you'll ever admit it or not, you're going to be the type of wife I hope I can be one day. You take charge and never settle. You're a thrill searcher and God seeker. The world may only ever have room for one Tess, but it would be better off if more people were like you, and had your heart of gold.

You've taught me what forgiveness is.
You took me in and accepted me when I didn't accept myself. You loved me when I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror. I was ashamed of who I let myself become in those eleven months. I was a mess and a shell of the person I used to be. I was filled with hatred at him and at God. But you never backed down. You listened to me every time I needed someone, even if you heard it twenty times before. You offered advice until I finally listened and took it. You helped me get back on feet. You helped me give him the forgiveness he wasn't asking for, and you helped me receive the forgiveness I desperately needed from God.

You've taught me what it means to be a leader.
I've always attempted to be a woman in a position of power. The type of woman whose makeup is flawless and hair nicely pulled back with heels on. The type of woman who makes everyone's head turn when she walks into a room. Yet, you're able to do that without anything of those things. And that's how I knew I had it all wrong. A leader isn't someone who is superior to others or out shows everyone; a leader is you. You can capture people's attention by just being yourself, and I want to be able to do that one day. You have the hardest job: teaching high school students about Jesus. But you do it with such grace and accuracy. Keep up the good job, and never ever stop because you don't feel like you're making a difference, because I promise you someone is always watching and listening. 

It may take all of this life and more to repay you for the love and kindness you've shown me. I don't know where I'd be in life without you redirecting me into the right direction. But I do know that I won't ever meet a person quite like you. Thank you for all you've done and will do.

Love, 
A Forever Grateful Senior



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lessons Learned

18 years. 216 months. 936 weeks. 6750 days. 157680 hours. 9460800 minutes. 567648000 seconds. Life has a funny way of getting away from you really quickly. One minute you're 5 running around a farm chasing barn cats and feeding the goats, and the next minute you're crying over boys and getting ready to pack up everything and move away to college. But the thing I've come to realize is that life didn't change, you  changed. You might fall down, but you need to learn how to stand back up, brush it off, and never let the same thing knock you over twice. 1. People are temporary; So are feelings. It's a part of life. One of the hardest things I've had to learn how to deal with is how to say goodbye to people I didn't want to let go of, and hello to people I was skeptical about letting in. I didn't want to say goodbye because I was happy and content, and even if I wasn't all the time, it's still what I was used to, a...
Post a Comment
Read more

When It's Real

I've never been okay with myself. I've never liked what I've seen in the mirror. I've never accepted my body. I've always wondered what it feels like to be skinny, and thin, and wake up in the morning with cute pj's and messy hair, that 'just woke up look' and still have someone think I'm attractive. To have guys look at me and want to be my boyfriend, and have girls jealous of me as I walk past. I wonder what it feels like to feel my hipbones and collarbones, to feel confident in a bikini, to sit down and not feel fat everywhere, or rub out the thighs of all of my pants. I wonder what it's like to look in the mirror and like what I see. I spent most of my time running away from love because I was afraid they wouldn't like what's underneath. But the reason I did this, is because I had no idea what love actually was. I thought love was about red roses and expensive dinners. I thought when two people loved each other, they woul...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Letter To You, My Love

Dear you, Distance is supposed to make the heart grow fonder right? Distance also tests us, and challenges us, and makes us say and do things we wish we could take back as soon as the words are said. The stubborn, selfish side of me says that my heart grows just as fond of you when I'm living 10 minutes away from you, not 2 hours. I hate being away from you. But the real side of me, the side you fell in love with, the selfless, the kind-hearted, the compassionate woman I am proud to be, knows this distance is going to be so worth it in the end. It's going to force us to put one another first in all circumstances. It's going to test our love, and make us prove how much the other person means to each other. It's going to show us whether or not we're really a priority in our busy lives. Communication and trust are key in making us work. Simple texts throughout the day, a random selfie, a late night unexpected phone call, and so much more become so precious and valu...
Post a Comment
Read more