February 26, 2011 was a day I will never forget.
It’s the day I met one of my very close and best friends.
It was a cold winter night. I had just had a full day of school and a full afternoon of doctor appointments on top of it, so my energy level was down to about zero. However, on this same night, my elementary school would be hosing their annual Mceduactors Night. This was everyone’s favorite night. You could do karaoke, watch your favorite teachers serve food at McDonald’s and have fun.
I was only 11 and in the 6th grade back then. That night I was so tired from my full day of school and doctor appointments, I wasn’t really in the mood for anything exciting. or special to happen that night to be honest.
I loved doing karaoke at this event. I did it every time.
But, on February 26, 2011, that night was way different than normal.
Myself, my aunt mom and dad were going. My mom dad and I arrived there first as my aunt and uncle were both working late that night, so they wouldn’t be arriving till later. After we sat down at our table, I told my mom I was hungry. She told me I could eat something, but to call my aunt first to see if it was ok to get food before she and my uncle showed up.
I called her and asked politely, “is it ok if I get some food before you guys come.”
“Sure, but can you wait for me before you sing.” She asked
“No problem.” I hung up the phone.
I gave my mom the go to order me food and informed her that I was instructed to wait to sing until my aunt arrived.
My aunt and uncle arrived around 6:30. We all ate together and watched the acts on the floor.
Do you know the feeling when the air feels thick and your gut is telling you something unexpected is about to happen? This was my feelings.
Little did I know this would be no normal performance night for me. My life was about to change forever.
While sitting, we all saw someone walk by our table. We all had no clue whatsoever who she was. All I know is when my aunt went up to put my name on the sigh up sheet for karaoke, the DJ informed her that I wouldn’t be going first and that he had to push me down an hour because another musician was going up first. My aunt came back and told me, I replied with, “ok, no big deal.”
To tell the truth, a lot of the acts and artist that have performed at the event were corny. We were all hoping this one coming up would be decent.
The musician before me came up and did her introduction. WE didn’t think much of her, that was until she sang her first song.
As soon as my aunt heard those first few notes come through the mic, she got so welled up that she ran to the front screaming and stayed in front till the entire performance was done. The rest of us stayed back laughing our butts off and shaking our heads at my aunt’s excitement.
When she turned to come back to us, we looked at her and laughed even more. Her face was all red as if she had been crying for three whole days and all her mascara she was wearing was running off her.
Suddenly, we noticed she didn’t come back to us right away. I looked around puzzled wondering where she could have gone. The only place I could think of off the top of my head that she could’ve gone was outside to smoke. I didn’t see her come in from there though. Where could she be?
I asked everyone at our table if they knew where she went. They didn’t. So, I turned to ask my uncle.
“Where is she.” Have you seen her.”
“Oh, you didn’t see, she’s over there talking to Audrey.”
“WHAT. She is not.”
Yes, she is.”
I looked and there she was chatting away. Mind you, I hadn’t gone up to sing yet. My heart started racing fast, I knew my aunt was about to get me in a good but nasty situation.
Here came my aunt, with Audrey next to her. “It’s about to get ugly in here for real.” I thought.
We were both introduced. After explaining a little bit about me and how my aunt referred to herself as my “coach”. She looked at me, “have you gone up to sing yet.”
“No, why.”
“Audrey wants to hear you sing.”
My face turned bright red and I stared sweating. Instead of saying ok, I whispered to my mom that I had to pee first. I ran to the bathroom, my mom following.
I simmered down and stayed in the bathroom for 20 minutes. My aunt knew I wasn’t much of an attention grabber, so I really could not believe she would make me do something like this. I finally got myself to go in the stall. After about five minutes, my mom saw I hadn’t sat down yet to pee.
She laughed, “what is wrong with you. Pull down your pants and pee will you.”
I did and walked out of the bathroom.
I went up to do my song and punished my aunt for getting me in the mess I was currently in by making her come up and help me with the song, even though I already knew the words to it. How’d that go, that was a very bad idea. She was breathing on my neck and making me more nervous. In fact, she got me so nervous that my head went on overload and I forgot the words to the only song I knew the actual words to. When I got done, I cried.
There was a local musician watching me, I wanted to make a good impression, and I just messed up the one song I knew. I was so mad at myself.
My mom wiped my tears and gave me a hug. Instead of pushing me away because of my melt down, Audrey bent down to my level and wrote me something that I’ve kept in my heart to this day.
“Believe in yourself.” This was the best advice anyone could’ve given to me.
We lost touch but connected again three years later. Let me say, when someone recognizes how grown up and mature you’ve gotten, that’s something special.
Here we are now 8 years since that day. The best of friends.
I’ve never seen anyone besides my parents and family believe in my future more than Audrey. She’s cheered me on, seen me at my best and worst, been there for me through the good and bad times.
In about a year or two, I will have the honor of standing by your side with a few of the others that mean the most to you and your family and friends as you get married. I’m humbled that you think that much of me that you would want me as one of your bridesmaids.
It’s hard to believe we’ve known each other for 8 years. It honestly feels like forever.
You’ve never once judged me for my disability. You’ve accepted me for who I am and all my flaws, for that I’m so grateful. you’ve looked past all of this and seen me for me.
It makes me feel good to know that you want to let all your fans know who your little sister is at some point during your shows.
I love you girl. Thank you for teaching me that one life lesson. Thank you for your constant support and love with everything I do. Because of the advice you gave me, I’m doing everything I want to do. You believed in my future when I thought no one else outside of my family and friends would. Our friendship means the world to me! Now that my aunt is gone and no longer in my life, I want you to know that there was only one right thing she did for me in in 17 years she was present in my life.
That right thing was giving me you.
I am and forever will be proud to be called your little sis!
February 26, 2011 was a day I will never forget.
It’s the day I met one of my very close and best friends.
It was a cold winter night. I had just had a full day of school and a full afternoon of doctor appointments on top of it, so my energy level was down to about zero. However, on this same night, my elementary school would be hosing their annual Mceduactors Night. This was everyone’s favorite night. You could do karaoke, watch your favorite teachers serve food at McDonald’s and have fun.
I was only 11 and in the 6th grade back then. That night I was so tired from my full day of school and doctor appointments, I wasn’t really in the mood for anything exciting. or special to happen that night to be honest.
I loved doing karaoke at this event. I did it every time.
But, on February 26, 2011, that night was way different than normal.
Myself, my aunt mom and dad were going. My mom dad and I arrived there first as my aunt and uncle were both working late that night, so they wouldn’t be arriving till later. After we sat down at our table, I told my mom I was hungry. She told me I could eat something, but to call my aunt first to see if it was ok to get food before she and my uncle showed up.
I called her and asked politely, “is it ok if I get some food before you guys come.”
“Sure, but can you wait for me before you sing.” She asked
“No problem.” I hung up the phone.
I gave my mom the go to order me food and informed her that I was instructed to wait to sing until my aunt arrived.
My aunt and uncle arrived around 6:30. We all ate together and watched the acts on the floor.
Do you know the feeling when the air feels thick and your gut is telling you something unexpected is about to happen? This was my feelings.
Little did I know this would be no normal performance night for me. My life was about to change forever.
While sitting, we all saw someone walk by our table. We all had no clue whatsoever who she was. All I know is when my aunt went up to put my name on the sigh up sheet for karaoke, the DJ informed her that I wouldn’t be going first and that he had to push me down an hour because another musician was going up first. My aunt came back and told me, I replied with, “ok, no big deal.”
To tell the truth, a lot of the acts and artist that have performed at the event were corny. We were all hoping this one coming up would be decent.
The musician before me came up and did her introduction. WE didn’t think much of her, that was until she sang her first song.
As soon as my aunt heard those first few notes come through the mic, she got so welled up that she ran to the front screaming and stayed in front till the entire performance was done. The rest of us stayed back laughing our butts off and shaking our heads at my aunt’s excitement.
When she turned to come back to us, we looked at her and laughed even more. Her face was all red as if she had been crying for three whole days and all her mascara she was wearing was running off her.
Suddenly, we noticed she didn’t come back to us right away. I looked around puzzled wondering where she could have gone. The only place I could think of off the top of my head that she could’ve gone was outside to smoke. I didn’t see her come in from there though. Where could she be?
I asked everyone at our table if they knew where she went. They didn’t. So, I turned to ask my uncle.
“Where is she.” Have you seen her.”
“Oh, you didn’t see, she’s over there talking to Audrey.”
“WHAT. She is not.”
Yes, she is.”
I looked and there she was chatting away. Mind you, I hadn’t gone up to sing yet. My heart started racing fast, I knew my aunt was about to get me in a good but nasty situation.
Here came my aunt, with Audrey next to her. “It’s about to get ugly in here for real.” I thought.
We were both introduced. After explaining a little bit about me and how my aunt referred to herself as my “coach”. She looked at me, “have you gone up to sing yet.”
“No, why.”
“Audrey wants to hear you sing>”
My face turned bright red and I stared sweating. Instead of saying ok, I whispered to my mom that I had to pee first. I ran to the bathroom, my mom following.
I simmered down and stayed in the bathroom for 20 minutes. My aunt knew I wasn’t much of an attention grabber, so I really could not believe she would make me do something like this. I finally got myself to go in the stall. After about five minutes, my mom saw I hadn’t sat down yet to pee.
She laughed, “what is wrong with you. Pull down your pants and pee will you.”
I did and walked out of the bathroom.
I went up to do my song and punished my aunt for getting me in the mess I was currently in by making her come up and help me with the song, even though I already knew the words to it. How’d that go, that was a very bad idea. She was breathing on my neck and making me more nervous. In fact, she got me so nervous that my head went on overload and I forgot the words to the only song I knew the actual words to. When I got done, I cried.
There was a local musician watching me, I wanted to make a good impression, and I just messed up the one song I knew. I was so mad at myself.
My mom wiped my tears and gave me a hug. Instead of pushing me away because of my melt down, Audrey bent down to my level and wrote me something that I’ve kept in my heart to this day.
“Believe in yourself.” This was the best advice anyone could’ve given to me.
We lost touch but connected again three years later. Let me say, when someone recognizes how grown up and mature you’ve gotten, that’s something special.
Here we are now 8 years since that day. The best of friends.
I’ve never seen anyone besides my parents and family believe in my future more than Audrey. She’s cheered me on, seen me at my best and worst, been there for me through the good and bad times.
In about a year or two, I will have the honor of standing by your side with a few of the others that mean the most to you and your family and friends as you get married. I’m humbled that you think that much of me that you would want me as one of your bridesmaids.
It’s hard to believe we’ve known each other for 8 years. It honestly feels like forever.
You’ve never once judged me for my disability. You’ve accepted me for who I am and all my flaws, for that I’m so grateful. you’ve looked past all of this and seen me for me.
It makes me feel good to know that you want to let all your fans know who your little sister is at some point during your shows.
I love you girl. Thank you for teaching me that one life lesson. Thank you for your constant support and love with everything I do. Because of the advice you gave me, I’m doing everything I want to do. You believed in my future when I thought no one else outside of my family and friends would. Our friendship means the world to me! Now that my aunt is gone and no longer in my life, I want you to know that there was only one right thing she did for me in in 17 years she was present in my life.
That right thing was giving me you.
I am and forever will be proud to be called your little sis!
February 26, 2011 was a day I will never forget.
It’s the day I met one of my very close and best friends.
It was a cold winter night. I had just had a full day of school and a full afternoon of doctor appointments on top of it, so my energy level was down to about zero. However, on this same night, my elementary school would be hosing their annual Mceduactors Night. This was everyone’s favorite night. You could do karaoke, watch your favorite teachers serve food at McDonald’s and have fun.
I was only 11 and in the 6th grade back then. That night I was so tired from my full day of school and doctor appointments, I wasn’t really in the mood for anything exciting. or special to happen that night to be honest.
I loved doing karaoke at this event. I did it every time.
But, on February 26, 2011, that night was way different than normal.
Myself, my aunt mom and dad were going. My mom dad and I arrived there first as my aunt and uncle were both working late that night, so they wouldn’t be arriving till later. After we sat down at our table, I told my mom I was hungry. She told me I could eat something, but to call my aunt first to see if it was ok to get food before she and my uncle showed up.
I called her and asked politely, “is it ok if I get some food before you guys come.”
“Sure, but can you wait for me before you sing.” She asked
“No problem.” I hung up the phone.
I gave my mom the go to order me food and informed her that I was instructed to wait to sing until my aunt arrived.
My aunt and uncle arrived around 6:30. We all ate together and watched the acts on the floor.
Do you know the feeling when the air feels thick and your gut is telling you something unexpected is about to happen? This was my feelings.
Little did I know this would be no normal performance night for me. My life was about to change forever.
While sitting, we all saw someone walk by our table. We all had no clue whatsoever who she was. All I know is when my aunt went up to put my name on the sigh up sheet for karaoke, the DJ informed her that I wouldn’t be going first and that he had to push me down an hour because another musician was going up first. My aunt came back and told me, I replied with, “ok, no big deal.”
To tell the truth, a lot of the acts and artist that have performed at the event were corny. We were all hoping this one coming up would be decent.
The musician before me came up and did her introduction. WE didn’t think much of her, that was until she sang her first song.
As soon as my aunt heard those first few notes come through the mic, she got so welled up that she ran to the front screaming and stayed in front till the entire performance was done. The rest of us stayed back laughing our butts off and shaking our heads at my aunt’s excitement.
When she turned to come back to us, we looked at her and laughed even more. Her face was all red as if she had been crying for three whole days and all her mascara she was wearing was running off her.
Suddenly, we noticed she didn’t come back to us right away. I looked around puzzled wondering where she could have gone. The only place I could think of off the top of my head that she could’ve gone was outside to smoke. I didn’t see her come in from there though. Where could she be?
I asked everyone at our table if they knew where she went. They didn’t. So, I turned to ask my uncle.
“Where is she.” Have you seen her.”
“Oh, you didn’t see, she’s over there talking to Audrey.”
“WHAT. She is not.”
Yes, she is.”
I looked and there she was chatting away. Mind you, I hadn’t gone up to sing yet. My heart started racing fast, I knew my aunt was about to get me in a good but nasty situation.
Here came my aunt, with Audrey next to her. “It’s about to get ugly in here for real.” I thought.
We were both introduced. After explaining a little bit about me and how my aunt referred to herself as my “coach”. She looked at me, “have you gone up to sing yet.”
“No, why.”
“Audrey wants to hear you sing.”
My face turned bright red and I stared sweating. Instead of saying ok, I whispered to my mom that I had to pee first. I ran to the bathroom, my mom following.
I simmered down and stayed in the bathroom for 20 minutes. My aunt knew I wasn’t much of an attention grabber, so I really could not believe she would make me do something like this. I finally got myself to go in the stall. After about five minutes, my mom saw I hadn’t sat down yet to pee.
She laughed, “what is wrong with you. Pull down your pants and pee will you.”
I did and walked out of the bathroom.
I went up to do my song and punished my aunt for getting me in the mess I was currently in by making her come up and help me with the song, even though I already knew the words to it. How’d that go, that was a very bad idea. She was breathing on my neck and making me more nervous. In fact, she got me so nervous that my head went on overload and I forgot the words to the only song I knew the actual words to. When I got done, I cried.
There was a local musician watching me, I wanted to make a good impression, and I just messed up the one song I knew. I was so mad at myself.
My mom wiped my tears and gave me a hug. Instead of pushing me away because of my melt down, Audrey bent down to my level and wrote me something that I’ve kept in my heart to this day.
“Believe in yourself.” This was the best advice anyone could’ve given to me.
We lost touch but connected again three years later. Let me say, when someone recognizes how grown up and mature you’ve gotten, that’s something special.
Here we are now 8 years since that day. The best of friends.
I’ve never seen anyone besides my parents and family believe in my future more than Audrey. She’s cheered me on, seen me at my best and worst, been there for me through the good and bad times.
In about a year or two, I will have the honor of standing by your side with a few of the others that mean the most to you and your family and friends as you get married. I’m humbled that you think that much of me that you would want me as one of your bridesmaids.
It’s hard to believe we’ve known each other for 8 years. It honestly feels like forever.
You’ve never once judged me for my disability. You’ve accepted me for who I am and all my flaws, for that I’m so grateful. you’ve looked past all of this and seen me for me.
It makes me feel good to know that you want to let all your fans know who your little sister is at some point during your shows.
I love you girl. Thank you for teaching me that one life lesson. Thank you for your constant support and love with everything I do. Because of the advice you gave me, I’m doing everything I want to do. You believed in my future when I thought no one else outside of my family and friends would. Our friendship means the world to me! Now that my aunt is gone and no longer in my life, I want you to know that there was only one right thing she did for me in in 17 years she was present in my life.
That right thing was giving me you.
I am and forever will be proud to be called your little sis!