I believe in kindrid spirits. I don't know about you, but I think there are people in your life that you are meant to know. People that come into your life for a reason, or many reasons, and you are forever changed by knowing them. These people can stay for a little while, or they can be there for a lifetime. Either way, when you find a kindrid spirit, you know it. And it's something very special. It's even cooler when you and that kindrid spirit have so much in common - say, the same name, for instance. And that, my friends, is just the beginning.
It was August 2008 when I nervously entered a University of Phoenix classroom to begin the Masters of School Counseling Program. I was attending the program with my sister, which made it a little easier, but I was very unsure of what would come from this program. The room was packed full by the time my sister and I arrived. We went around the room introducing ourselves. I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the people in the room, until a well dressed, dark haired girl started introducing herself. She said her name was Allison, she was a caseworker for DCFS.... and she instantly had my attention. My name was Alison. I was a caseworker for DCFS. She was...me. I knew at that moment we would become lifelong friends. How can you not become friends with someone who has your same name, same job, and you'll be spending the next 3 years with them while going through the same graduate school program??
Since that time, Allison and I have been BFF's - and have been through a lot together. Allison was my biggest supporter when I lost my job that winter. I was able to be there for her when she gave birth to her second son, Anthon, at 28 weeks. I was honored and blessed to be able to be a part of Anthon's life, although it was cut short. It's experiences like these that shape a person into who they are, and it's the people in their life during those times that make these hard times just a little bit easier. Allison has been there for me 100% through my battle with infertility. She helped me get re-hired at DCFS, making so many of my dreams come true. And I've been able to babysit her incredibly funny and rambunctious 3 year old, Henry. We've gone camping together, we've solved murder mysteries on trains together, we've laughed and cried together, had rockband tournaments, and we've shared everything.
However, there is one thing that we share that we both wish we didn't - a weight issue. That is the purpose of this blog - because we've been through so much together, we've helped each other overcome hardships, and encouraged each other. If we can get through that, we can help each other achieve our goals. Inside each of us is a skinny chick just dying to get out. For both of us, losing weight would help us accomplish more life goals that we have set - both of us want to get pregnant. For me, losing weight will almost definitely help my infertility - because I've been told by doctors that losing weight will raise my chances of having my own children, and will lessen any risks. For Allison, losing weight will also help her lessen the risks of pregnancy. I have a beautiful vision of us being pregnant at the same time, and our children becoming best friends. Cheesy, sure, but awesome, nevertheless.
Get to know us as we share our journey with the world through our blog. It's not going to be easy. If you've ever lost weight, you know that it just plain sucks. It's really hard. There will be setbacks. Successes. Frustrations. Plateaus. Anger. Joy. It's going to be one hell of a rollercoaster, but it will most definitely be worth it.
- ALISON
