Relationship Reflection

Relationships/partnerships play a huge role in my life and have since I was little. They have helped me grow and evolve and I have learned so much from those that I have relationships/partnerships with. These positive relationships help physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Through my relationships I have been able to deepen and expand my experiences of love and meaning. For me I enjoy connecting with others and building lasting and life long relationships. It is important for me to have people that I know are always there for me and vice versa. Below are several people with whom I currently have positive relationships/partnerships with.

The first relationship is the relationship I have with my mother. Throughout my life she has been my support system. She was the one that nurtured and protected me. My mother has always encouraged me and supported my wishes and dreams. She is there for me when I need and can always pick me up when I'm down. Though our relationship has not always been perfect, we have always remained close. 

My brother, mother, and myself.

The next relationship that is important to me is the relationship I have with my dad. Growing up he wasn't always around and not because he didn't want to be. My father drives trucks and has since before I was born. As a little girl he tried to maintain a positive relationship between the two of us by frequent calls and visits. For me that played a huge role is us developing a lasting and positive relationship. When I got older, my father moved from Houston, TX to Atlanta, Ga. He also began to take trucking routes that were local and allowed him to be home one the weekend. Our relationship has become one that is important to my life and growth. I can talk to my dad about anything and he is always there for me. We talk frequently and have our weekend daddy-daughter days. My relationship with him has taught me a lot about myself. 

My father

Another relationship/partnership that is influential to my life is the relationship I have with my boyfriend Gary. I have known him since the 7th grade and he has been my best friend since then. Growing up he was always there for me. He protected me and was a shoulder I could lean on. With him, I could always be myself. After we graduated high school, I went away to school. Even then he still came to visit and we talked often. During my last few years of college we stopped talking as much and didn't see each other often. It was until I graduated from college and moved back home that we reconnected. Once we reconnected, it was like that friendship that we had never went away. That friendship has now grown to something deeper. He is not only my best friend but he is my partner and I love him dearly. He understands me and knows everything about me. He supports me and encourages me no matter what. 

Me and my boyfriend Gary

My relationship with my best friend Milli is also one that I can say has a positive influence on my life. The relationship between Milli didn't start off as us being friends. We met in college through a mutual friend and because of certain circumstances, we did not like or care for each other. Overtime we began to bond and become friends. Since then our friendship has grown. I know consider her to be my best friend and my sister. She has always been there for me and she always helps me not matter what I'm going through. Milli is there when I need someone to talk to or just tell how my day was. She is an important person in my life and I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Me and Milli

For me communication plays a huge role in any relationship. I also believe honesty and loyalty play a role in developing and maintain any relationship. I struggle with trusting people sometimes so for me its hard to develop relationships. The relationships and partnerships that I have are ones that have been through a lot and overcame it all. They have proven to be key factors in my life and learning. At times some of my relationships face challenges due to distance but through that I have learned that no matter how far you are from someone if it is a true relationship and both parties feel the same way about each other and their relationship then it will last a life time. My relationships have shown me that I need to be able to communicate with those I am around and that helps build a positive relationship.