Ninja Warrior

A few months ago, I was doing the laundry and out popped a ninja warrior.  It was one of those cheap plastic toys that children get when they cash in their tickets at a game room.  I think hellos in some situations are like that.  They are the ones that are available at the last minute.  That nervous moment when you ask yourself, "are you going to do this or not" and then close your eyes, jump right in, and hope you land on your feet.  we've all shared those moments when we're in a situation that seems over our heads.  It's that deep breath before you make THAT call, or the pause before knocking on the door.  Hellos require courage. 

Google defines courage as the ability to do something that frightens one and strength in the face of pain or grief.  Because I LOVE words so much I had to include some cool synonyms of this word:  pluck, pluckiness, valor, intrepidity, audacity, boldness, grit, gallantry, guts, spunk, and moxie.  Whatever circumstances you might be facing this week, YOU CAN DO IT!  Have a wonderful day!

Pic is courtesy of karatemart.com (LOL...the original pic my kiddos took got deleted from my phone :(   It was cute too!)

All About Love

The month of LUV!  There's nothing like seeing two people in love.  Unless of course you've had a bitter breakup or something...awkward pause...No worries, even for those of you who have been heartbroken, this hello is sure to warm your heart and give you hope.  All you single ladies and gents out there listen up!  Love is not dead!  It it truly like fine wine.  Ms. Jeje and Mr. Mike as their students lovingly call them have been married for 36 years.  Together, they run All About Learning Center a preschool in Montbello, a suburb of Denver, Colorado.  There marriage is really amazing granted our drive-thru culture these days.  True love is work.  Through ups and downs, twists and turns, love is the hardest and greatest thing there is.  When I see couples like these it makes my heart swell.  Does hope disappoint?  I think not.

These two lovebirds met when they were kids through family.  Later when they were teenagers Mike knew Jeje was the one for him.  It was an ideal setting, she was a cheerleader and he a football player. Jeje however wouldn't give him the time of day but that didn't stop his pursuits. Although she thought he was handsome and had nice qualities, she kept him guessing.  Mike recalls, there was a Sadie Hawkins dance where the girl invites the guy to the dance.  He asked, "so are you going to ask me?" His now bride declined with a flat no.  He gave her his phone number and the rest was history...after she called of course.  Jeje says of her husband that he was persistent without being disrespectful.

Mike says what he loves about his wife the most is her passion about life, people, and everything she does.  Her passion makes him more passionate about the same things as well.  Jeje says what she loves about Mike the most is that he is committed to her and their family whatever the circumstances. "He takes care of everything and he is a man of God."

They both agree that their best moment together was on their 26th wedding anniversary.  They got married all over again.  Jeje says of her 2nd wedding to her hubbie that it was," awesome their kids were there to witness their marriage."

A golden nugget they both can offer us rookies, is to realize your differences, "but both people need to be on the same page" says, Jeje.  Her husband says it's important to embrace fun, joy, and laughter because life is short.  True indeed.  Upon meeting these two for the first time, it was amazing to witness.  After 36 years of marriage their love for each other is still electric.  It's in the atmosphere, and you can tell by looking at the sheer happiness of the children they serve everyday.  Such a breath of fresh air.  Have a wonderful day!