formerly phread: 8

For the month of November I’ve decided to post each day about a person or people who have influenced my life for good. There’s no way I could include each and every person in one month or even one year, and for that I hope you’ll forgive me. This year, especially, has brought an acute awareness of the kindness and generosity which surrounds me and my kids, so here’s one attempt at giving thanks.

8 – Jill

This lady. She’s all the kinds of funny and tough and laid-back and kind and awesome.

I was trying to remember how we met and I believe it was on a winter trolley ride at Thanksgiving Point, which…huh? Or maybe it was that time we worked at the same place for 5 minutes. I can't know.

Over the years I was lucky enough to have my path cross Jill’s until finally we were married. That’s not true, of course, but that’s the kind of funny stuff she’d say. That, and repeatedly texting a gif with The Queen of England. Trust me about Jill’s funny.

Turns out Jill is a world-famous trainer. She knows the things to eat and the moves to do to shape your body the way you want it to be, and she isn’t bossy about it, she knows how to push exactly the right amount.

If you find yourself working late nights in a restaurant and you’re scared out of your mind because you’re alone, Jill may or may not come visit you, I’m not going to say in case she wasn’t supposed to be there. But if that happens you won’t ever forget it, I promise you that.

She makes all the beautiful babies. Srsly. And they’re funny, too. Speaking of which, I got to watch her have one of ‘em this year, no joke. I brought Junior Mints for myself and the other spectators because I am a jerk. It was one of the most special things I’ve ever witnessed (not what I did, what she did).

Jill’s always a great sounding board, loyal and smart, compassionate and sassy. Is there anything better?

Thanks, Jill. I love you.

#IHaveAwesomeFriends