Ms.+LaQuay--Friends

Friends are such an important part of my life.

My closest, most dearest of dear friends...is MY HUSBAND, Rafal. He is my best friend and I think that is perfect. Some people say we are still "honeymooning" and that is why he is still so sweet. I don't think that is why because we've been together for 10 years even though we've only been married for 1. I still haven't figured out how I got so lucky to find him and marry him. I just was. He makes me so very, very, very happy every day of my life.

But the close second is Maria. She has been there for me in all the moments of my life when I've needed a friend to stand by my side. She has inspired, encouraged, listened, trusted, and given so much to my life that the thought of her fills my heart with love. I consider her a blessing and I love her so very much. I wish she would move back to Poland and teach at ASW with me, but she is sticking close to home to take care of her aging parents. She teaches 2nd grade in California. She is a wonderful teacher. She even taught me to play tennis this summer when I visited her in California.

I also have some close friends who teach at ASW. Ms. Ryan was my social buddy a few years ago. Now we cook together and hang out at my house on Wednesday nights. She is full of positive energy and enthusiasm for teaching and children. I love spending time with her because I learn so many great ideas. I also like hanging out with her because she has a free child-like spirit that is easy to love.

Ms. Laffay is my teaching twin. Lots of people get us confused, although not right now because she is VERY pregnant and I'm not. Ms. Laffay is the gentle spirit that I admire. She is so sensitive and understanding of children and people. I love how she always thinks about others. When she was in school we would take walks together and talk about her baby to be. She let me put my hand on her belly and feel her little girl kick! It was the first time I felt a baby move inside someone's belly. It was so amazing. I feel like Ms. Laffay is like my sister away from home. I am so blessed that she is here in Poland with me. I can't wait to meet her little girl and hold her and cuddle her and spoil her--like she was my niece.

Mrs. Horner is always in my corner and I appreciate her continuous support and praise. She amazes me with her creativity and her ability to just say the exact words that need to be said in the perfect moment. She was my only teacher-friend from ASW who was able to come to my wedding last summer and it meant so much to me that she was there. It was really neat because she got to meet my whole family and talk with my parents and sisters. I'm so happy I got to share all of that with her. Whenever she talks about being at my wedding I feel very honored. Mrs. Horner is a very special friend of mine, too.

Ms. C is also a good friend. She used to be my teaching assistant, but she left me for first graders! I miss seeing her everyday. She could always help me lighten up and laugh when I was getting crazy with work pressure. Now we hang out on Saturdays. Almost every Saturday, I think of her and smile. She gave me the most thoughtful anniversary gift ever--and it was a total surprise. I took dancing lessons with my husband to be able to dance the first dance at our wedding and I loved them. As an anniversary present, she bought me two dance lessons! I was totally surprised. I like to hang out and talk with her about love, life, and everything.