Each Wednesday we will be featuring a member of our writing team. We hope to further grow our community by sharing a bit more about the women that make up Rochester MN Moms Blog!
This week…meet Melissa!
Melissa, along with her best friend a.k.a. husband John and two kids worked in Central Asia for ten years with a Christian development organization. Native to Minnesota in 2014, they returned to the greater Rochester area, where she proclaimed to her children, Malcolm (2005) and Emily (2008) it was time to learn “all things Minnesotan.”
Photo credit: Marit Williams Photography
1)What has been most surprising to you as a mother?
The baby years almost killed me, though I found memories of those times exhaustion clouds them. I loved the preschool years, but when they hit five there were so many fun activities we could share and experiences that we could really do together. I really started to enjoy parenting.
2) Favorite way to relax after a long day?
As a nurse, after a 12-hour shift, all I can do is drag my body up the stairs to our family room and have one of my kids make me a hot cup of peppermint or chamomile tea. Then I binge watch a couple of episodes of something.
3) How do you take your coffee?
Freshly ground beans put into an Aeropress. Then topped off with some half and half or foamed milk. I am pretty serious about my coffee and have about five different ways I can make my favorite brew on any given day.
4) When do you feel most beautiful?
I feel most beautiful when I actually take the time to do my hair. I have thick naturally wavy/curly hair that is very susceptible to humidity and the weather elements. I also am a nurse so it is pulled back most of the time. When I actually get to blow dry my hair and curl it, it looks fabulous, if I do say so myself. I do this about four times a year.
5) What is something you believe everyone should experience at least once in their life?
Travel outside of America. Not just to resort and tourist destinations, but to developing nations. I have been fortunate in my life that I have gotten to travel to several different countries and I lived outside of America for almost a decade. Traveling really has changed who I am and opened my eyes to so much.
6) What is your favorite thing about your life?
Just when I think, my life looks like it will be the same old thing day after day, some exciting new challenge or opportunity always seems to present itself. I have a personal philosophy to try and say “yes” to things that come my way.
7) What is an irrational fear you have?
Being run over by a semi, or knocked off the road by one during a snowstorm or a heavy rainstorm. Seriously, I gripped that wheel until my knuckles are white when they zip by and spray slush or rain all over my front window.
8) What is one thing you are working on changing/ being better at?
Making time for my husband. Life is so full and it takes effort to carve out time for each other.
