Every now and again, that timeless ice breaker conversation pops up. "Who are you? What defines you as a person?" There's the average, go-to answers: I'm a wife, a mom, a good friend, etc. And I am all of those things, per titles given to me, but is it really what defines who I am as a person? I'm a good friend, but why am I good friend? I'm a mom, but what kind of mom? I'm married, but how do I make my marriage work? I feel like the answers to those questions offer up more of a clearer picture of what truly defines me.
I'm optimistic, loving, patient, kind, understanding, compassionate and open-minded. I love Jesus and try to live my life the way He would want me to live it, but I fail miserably and often. I'm passionate, opinionated, shy, old-fashioned and motherly. I'm socially awkward and don't feel like I fit in, but very friendly and polite. I'm silly, funny and smart. I stutter when I'm nervous, uncomfortable or overwhelmed. I snort when I laugh really hard.
I love my husband. I love that people gasp when they learn about how young we were when we married and how long we've been happily together. I love that people smile when we tell them about our old-fashioned views on marriage and love. I adore the way he drives me insane but makes me so happy within the same moment. I love the way he makes me laugh when all I wanna do is be upset. And the way that he stands beside me even when I'm in the wrong..... melts a girls heart. I love that he's an old-fashioned gentleman with real manners; and not just because that's what he was taught, but because that's what he truly believes is right.
I love my children. I love the adventure of being a parent. I love
that you can make mistakes and keep moving forward; sometimes learning
and growing more from the mistakes than from the things that just come
naturally. I love that when I'm away from them, I want nothing more
than to hear about their day or to watch them interact with their
friends. I love that when I'm with them, they smother me with so much
affection and love that I'm overwhelmed by it. I love that their smile and their laugh can make me happier than anything else on this planet.
What defines me? It's not that I'm a wife or a mother. It's not my job and it's not who I associate with. What defines me is how I live each day within those titles and within my life. I was Glenna long before I was a mother or a wife. Those things are certainly a part of me and helped me to evolve from a young girl to a strong woman. But at the core of it all, I'm still me and I am what defines all of those things; not the other way around. And I'm happy with that.
