"When did you last cry in front of someone else?"

I'm not someone who easily cries. It doesn't matter if it's a physical pain, emotional pain, or even happiness, tears just don't come that easily. I have to be extremely passionate, emotional, or happy in order to get those tears flowing.

Luckily, the last time I cried was a happy experience. It was at Disneyland, with an audience of strangers. 

A little back story: I make it a point to experience something new every time I go to Disneyland. Because I go so often, it's easy to fall into a set routine...but what's the fun in experiencing the same thing every time you go? In my opinion, it takes some of the magic away. 

I had never seen the new Frozen float before the parade, so I stopped to watch it. It was nothing special, just Elsa and Anna waving while an instrumental version of "Let it Go" played on the loudspeakers. Yet, for some reason, this wave of happiness came over me. I realized that at this very moment, Disney was literally making dreams come true for so many children. Even with an overrated float, magic was being created. 

I couldn't help but smile as tears started to stream down my face.

Vague To The Highest Factor

I had forgotten what the butterflies felt like, and he brought them back.

"...the chaos is all so beautiful."

Okay, so within the past week, my (work) life has turned upside down. My co-teacher was offered a full time teaching job at another school. She has been waiting for an opportunity like this for years, so of course she accepted the position. This left me conflicted. Of course I was excited for her, for she truly deserves her own kindergarten classroom. But I was also sad, and nervous. Not only was I losing someone I work incredibly well with, but I was now going to take the lead in the classroom. 

Here's how my classroom worked: every first and third week of the month, my co-teacher would plan, prep, and execute lesson plans in the classroom, while I assisted. And every second and fourth week, I would lead and she would assist. This makes it so the work and teaching time is divided equally between the teachers. That being said, my co-teacher has been working at my preschool for three years, so it's only natural that it felt like her classroom, and I was more of a second teacher. Her leaving meant that I now had to takeover the head teacher responsibilities. 

Today was the first day without her. On top of that, we had new students that moved up from younger classrooms. So, to say it was stressful and chaotic would be an understatement. That being said, I got through the day with a smile on my face (and every kid accounted for). And at the end of the day, I received positive notes from parents, students, and the administrative staff. 

Although she will be missed, her leaving forced me to step up and take the reigns. It's amazing how chaos can bring out the strength you never knew you had.