Something kinda cool

This morning I dropped the boys off at MOM (Mom's morning out) Its a program with one of our local churches, I drop the boys off and they get to interact with other kids their age, have fun, learn, and the person who runs this is wonderful with the kids. This allows me to get quite a bit of errands run without having to drag the boys along for the ride, which I think both the boys and I appreciate!

So this morning I took my car in to be washed then headed to the grocery store to get a few supplies for Sunday's BBQ. While waiting in the check out line I notice the woman in front of me looks very familiar and it instantly hits me, it was Ms. Valencic my 5th grade teacher! She looked exactly the same but I figured there was no way she'd remember me. Well I was wrong, she turned around, noticed me and said "ANDREA!!" That literally blew me away. Ms Valencic is one of the two teachers I had throughout grade school that I will always remember. When I was in 4th grade my parents moved and I had to change schools in the middle of the year. I never really felt like I fit in to our new school, I was only there a few weeks before it broke for summer vaca and I was really missing all my old friends from my other school. So the summer passed and I got Ms Valencic as a 5th grade teacher. When I first met her I was afraid, there was a rumor going around that she was a tough teacher and I really was hoping to get the sweet little Mrs. Ellington. But I didn't and I admit I was nervous. Ms Valencic seemed nice, but you know how those 5th grade rumors are... soooo truthful! Ha! Ms Valencic was an amazing teacher, within the first few days I instantly felt at home because of her, she was wonderful. I remember not wanting to leave 5th grade because I would miss her too much. She had a way of connecting with her students and made her class so interesting and even the slowest learners got good grades. She was never mean like other kids had said, she was fun and exciting, maybe a little stern at times, she definitely demanded respect but not in a way that made you fear her. She is the only teacher I ever had that actually made me look forward to assignments! Out of every teacher I've ever had, she is the one that truly made a difference while growing up. And here we are, 16 years later, and she still remembers me and called me one of her "star students". I guess the reason that surprised me so is because while I've only had a handful of teachers, she has taught hundreds of kids throughout her career. Its just nice to know that while she made a huge impression on me as a child, I also made a good impression on her as her student.

We chatted for a few mins, she asked me about life and was so happy to hear how everything has worked out for me. I suppose to a teacher that is the best news you can hear from one of your former students. She even remembered my parents and asked about them as well. She's the same thoughtful, kind-hearted person I remember. She said she's retired now, and while I was very happy to hear that I was also a little bummed. I thought for a moment how great it would have been to have this wonderful person who was such a great teacher to me also teach my children. She subs occasionally so I suppose there's always a chance!