A Month of Natalie - My People

List ten people who have influenced you and describe how.

Brandon

This man has a greater influence on my life than any and every other person. He is my heart. I tell him all the time that he is my favorite person on the face of the earth (and he is!) but he is so much more than that. He is the rock upon which God has built our family. He loves me unconditionally and unquestionably. He not only allows me to be the silly girl that I really am, he relishes in it. Because of him I no longer make excuses about who I am and because of him I want to be a better person. Brandon has spent the last (almost) ten years tenderly restoring things that I didn’t even know were tarnished. He was the first person on the face of the planet that made me want to feel good about myself.

My handsome husband with a giant hamburger!

Ezra

I knew I loved Ezra from the first moment I found out I was pregnant but holding him in my arms for the first time changed me forever. He is one of the best things that ever happened to me. From the moment he made his grand entrance into this world (ten days late mind you!) he was the center of my universe (a spot he now shares with his precious little brother Elisha). A mother is not just one aspect of who I am, it is something within me that stirs up and fuels every other part of me. As Ezra has grown he has become this pensive little boy who sees the world differently than anyone I have met before. He is brilliant and compassionate. He is amazingly tender (but all boy). I cannot imagine my life without Ezra. I don’t feel like my heart grew when I had Ezra, I feel like it came to life.

I can't get over how cute he is!

Elisha

Elisha made his entry into the world in a much different manner than Ezra did. As a baby Ezra was relaxed and as he grew he was open to relationship with anyone. Elisha on the other hand has always been a mystery. He takes his time and has set out to discover the world on his terms at his own pace. You cannot make Elisha do anything, regardless of how hard you try (trust me). Elisha is remarkably introverted but when he lets someone in it is because he has something to share. Because of this I am a more intentional parent. What comes naturally with Ezra takes work with Elisha. Because of Elisha I have realized the value in really seeking out what is great in people. My relationship with Elisha is one of the most rewarding things ever because the more I discover him, the more amazing he is. He is a great character, complex, sometimes confusing, and always beautiful, that is unfolding word by word.

Elisha, with his baby in a sling.

Joyce

My sweet grandmother has been my biggest fan my entire life. She has always supported me and loved me. She has always asked me if I am doing my best, encouraged me when I wasn’t and praised me when I was.

My lovely Granny.

Dana

You are amazingly fun to be around and you have always been. This combined with the fact that you are most the most responsible adult I know is quite a feat. You taught me which rules I can break and which ones to heed, and for that I am eternally grateful! (And probably a more fun person to be around!)

You are my most fun family member!

Rene

Can you believe that I had to look up how to spell your last name the other day? Okay, I am bad at spelling but we have always been best friends and no matter where life takes us we will always be friends! I love you unconditionally and will forever be grateful for your love. I am and will remain eternally grateful for the friendship you have offered me. 

Gorgeous as always. 

Lauren

I would have never made it through my teenage years without you. You know how messed up my life was. You still hold some of my favorite memories. Through our friendship I discovered who I was.

I love this picture by the way.

Emily

Christine Caine said “Compassion is never compassion until you cross the street and go do something about it.” Emily, you are the embodiment of this. You have always been such a spiritual mentor to me. I love the way you love the Lord. You faith inspires me and I cannot thank the Lord enough for your friendship.

Your entire family is amazing. Such a power house for the Lord!

Hugh

My grandfather was amazing. To have the life I had but still have a strong, God fearing man, who was ALWAYS unconditionally sweet with me was a great gift. He was the sole example of what a man should look like in my young childhood. He worked hard his entire life to take care of his family and he tenderly loved his wife. That example was priceless. 

Wasn't he a looker?!

Brittany

You are the embodiment of the word sister. We are adults now and just the other day I caught you wearing my shoes and you told me you weren't giving them back. With as much as we fought growing up, I would have never made it out alive without you. I didn't really like you tagging along with my friends when we were kids but I had no idea that you were going to grow up and be my friend. Your children are AMAZING! And while we still don't see eye to eye on everything I am blessed to have you in my life.

My sweet sister with my sweet baby.

Zachary

I know that you probably don't remember most of this but you taught me how to me a mom. Because of you, I am a nurturer. Seriously, you were the cutest little brother a girl could ask for. And I am SINCERELY sorry for picking on you when you were a kid, and yes, that does have something to do with the fact that you are a beast now. I am immensely proud of you and what you have done in the last year or so! You decided to be someone different and accomplished it. You have all the potential in the world to be whoever and whatever you want, and through that mean guy guise I still my sweet baby brother. 

You look a little scary dude, but I like this picture of you, it captures your essence.