Mentors and Thank Yous

 Thank You Everyone

 

I want to take some time to thank some of my mentors and the people who made a big difference in my life during this year. 

     This is Jill. She has faith I only hope to have someday. She's my youth pastor and has had meetings with me every month during this whole year and before I even started. She's been with me and praying for me through the very best and the very worst of all of this. If any of you remember from my second post, Jill had a huge hand in reminding me to be brave enough to try this in the first place. I hope God blesses you abundantly Jill, thank you so so much, for everything you do.You're such a gift from God. 

     I already talked about my Dad awhile ago, but I just want to take a moment to mention my Mom. This lady is so amazing. She may not be musical, but she understands why I love my art and music, and she encourages me in it. I'm so thankful to have parents who understand the way I was wired, and are more than encouraging in anything I want to do with my talents. Thank you mom for working so hard, and for giving up so much time with Dad for me. I know he's been working on my album a lot, and I'm so thankful that you understand and have shared him with me. Don't think I haven't noticed everything you've done for me in this past year. I have! I love you! <3 

     Thank you Lexi for all your hugs on Wednesdays and for doing the lovely harmonies to "This Narrow Road" even though you were so busy. You light up a room as soon as you walk into it. Never stop being you! <3 
 

     Raven, Thank you for telling me to make the album even though I whined and complained and was sure I couldn't do it. Thank you for writing that letter (that is taped to my wall ;) ) about how much you really liked my songs. Thanks for taking me aside and praying for me that night at the girl's retreat when I was too scared to go up and sing. Thank you for coming in an instant when I called you that one night... I can't even describe how much your friendship has meant to me in these past few years. You're one of the strongest, toughest girls I know. I know you've been through so much, but your constant faith in God despite everything reminds me and encourages me to have that too. I know we like, never say this, but I love you. I want to see you take your dreams and soar with them. I want you to know that even though I'm leaving, I'll never forget you. I'll be back sooner than you know. Don't have too much fun while I'm gone dear. ;) 

     Abbey, you knew you were on here didn't you? ;) You girl, I don't even know where to start. Thank you for your steadfast support. Thank you for taking all my pictures for the album! Thanks for teaching me about blogging, and for reading every post and telling me how much you love them. Thanks for always being there when I need you, offering all the hugs and prayer I can handle. Thank you for being my best friend since we were 11 & 12. I couldn't have survived through life without you by my side. Thank you for loving watching me spread my wings and fly as we grow up together, and for telling me you want me to go to school next year even though I know it breaks your heart to see me leave. Don't worry girly. We'll always be the closest and dearest of friends. You are one of the most amazing young women I've ever met, and I pray every blessing in the world over you. I love you so much!!

     Brittany and Christopher, thank you for all your support. Thanks for taking me in when I needed someplace to go for awhile. Thank you for believing in me 100% and encouraging me so much. you guys are awesome. I love you and your family so much, and I'm going to miss you all like crazy next year! 
(special thanks to Mr Swagg for giving me a job. Only people who really know me will get this reference...)  

     Callie, thank you for listening to me and letting me pour out my heart to you when things got tough. thank you for taking me shopping and being so understanding when I needed it, and thank you for keeping me for almost a week and letting me de-stress at your apartment with your crazy cat. ;) (bonus pic of Callie's crazy cat attacking the plunger.)

 and Tianna, Thank you for also letting me come to you when I didn't know what to do, and thanks for listening to my songs and telling me I could do this over and over. I'm so glad I have sisters. ;)

     

     Emily, Cayli, and Mattie, thank you for being my supportive girls and loving me through the good and the bad of this project! thanks for being so excited that this was getting done and believing in me so much! And Cayli, thank you so much for coming for me that weekend. I know you girls have had such a busy year, as two of us are graduating, (YEAHH :D ) and Cayli is old and in college, ;) but you all took time to call me, Skype with me, or see me, and to make sure everything was okay. Thank you! The three of you mean so much to me <3

      

     Larry, thanks for all of your patience when things went wrong, and for telling me I could do this and encouraging me every time we had a meeting. I really couldn't have done this without you! You're the best teacher ever ever!!

      Kristen sweetie, I know I already talked about you, and that this thank you post is getting wayy too long, but I just have to say a couple things. Thank you for always putting up with me when I got over-emotional, and for holding me and wiping my tears when I cried through the hardest parts of this project. Thank you for driving all the way from Sun Prairie Wisconsin to be with me for a weekend when everything was too hard to handle. I know sometimes I get hurt over the simplest of things, but when that happens please remember that it's just because I have you so, so close to my heart, that when you move you sometimes accidentally elbow it, and it's easily bruised. I know you love me, so thanks for forgiving me when I'm ridiculous about things. I don't think I could live a day without you dear. <3

     
     Man you guys... You got me all teary. Ugh, emotions. Anyway you're finally to the end of my explosion of thank-yous. If you actually read through all of that, then... go you. But if you didn't, don't feel bad. ;) I'm going to post again today or tomorrow about things all of you will actually want to read through,  but I had to do a mentors/thank-you post because it's in my project, so thanks for bearing with me. 

And of course last but not least... Thank you for all your support through this whole thing! I love you guys! 

~Arianna Rose