The Men In My Life

I have always believed that God will give you what you need. In my case it seems I need a man who will push me to work harder for what I want.

My first example of this would be my Dad. He made me a fighter in every sense of the word. From putting me into martial arts class to showing me how to survive my own battle from within. My Dad battled cancer for over 10 years before it finally took him. It is his battle that I look at every time I feel like something is too much for me to overcome. It is his face that I see when I want to give up. At his worst he would say, "Its just another bump in the road."

When I was 14 Dad stuck me in Tae Kwon Do. Not because I was the athletic type but because even at that young age I was 50 lbs over weight. Master Jae Kim was from Korea. He hardly spoke English, but managed to kick us all into shape. He saw something inside of me (deep, deep, deep inside of me) that I couldn't see myself. Three days a week for 3 years I spent in his dojo and not once did I leave without something hurting. The first four months the 50 lbs dropped off like melted butter. Once the weight was gone he had me working twice as hard... until, at the age of 15 I won second place in the Tae Kwon Do Nationals. (middle row, 3rd from the left)

Fast forward to today. I live with a man who is stronger then any man in the world. In the first year I knew him he fought and won over his addiction to alcohol. In the second and third year he managed to put a ring on my finger and bless me with two beautiful daughters. For the past 3 years (yes, we have been married for 5 years now! How time flies) he has been on this healthy living kick with me. Only his battle was the complete opposite of mine. He has been trying to get bigger... and has succeeded.... in small spurts. Just as I have succeeded in losing 40 lbs over two years he has managed to gain 40 in the same time. He looks amazing to me now and in my eyes I don't see that he needs to get any bigger or stronger.... but he is determined to keep going, to get bigger, to get stronger, to get healthier. Not out of vanity, but because it has become his lifestyle now. He cant stop.
These three men have been huge stepping stones in my life. My Dad has been, and will always be, my foundation. Master Kim pulled me out of my shell and showed me what I can do if I work hard. My husband continues to motivate me , not with words but with his own actions, to keep moving forward and working for what I want. In my life I have been given everything I need to succeed. Its just a matter of doing it.

A big thank you to the three of you.... I love you!