Wowee!! “Decorate what already makes you interesting.” I’m currently standing in the Magic Kingdom facing Cinderella Castle reading this as I wait for the nighttime parade, and this line has mesmerized me. Thanks for sharing this post! It made an already magical place even more magical! I’m excited to ponder how this applies to me as I watch the parade. ✨
For most of my life, my “Rudolph quality” felt like a liability. I was the distracted talker, the one who spoke easily with everyone, the person who could move between groups, who was often read as insincere or two-faced. Even my own family was hard on me for it.
Until one afternoon, when I saw it through my husband’s eyes. We were out running errands and kept getting stopped by people: someone from my book club, Audubon society, the dog park, and the volunteer Search and Rescue team.
I assumed Ron was getting irritated, and later he admitted the first few interruptions did bother him. But then one of my kiddos from the library spotted me, lit up, and ran over. I slipped into “Mr. Jacob” without thinking, crouching down, asking lots of questions, and listening intently.
Later, he told me, “It’s like being with a local celebrity. I’m Mr. Jacob’s husband," he had said, smiling, "and that’s pretty cool.”
That moment didn’t just change how he saw me; it changed how I saw myself. The trait I’d been taught to dim was, in fact, a light.
I wish more people would own their "Rudolph." I think it's something that comes with time and experience, though. But when you really like someone you first meet, there's such an internal pressure to want them to see you in your best possible light. Not in a fake way, but just (what you think is) the "best possible version" of you.
I remember on my first date (this was the days of newspaper personal's ads where you DIDN'T see what a person looked like), I'd talked to this guy for two weeks before meeting him. I really liked him. When we met, I immediately stated rattling off all of the things wrong with me: "I have a torn earlobe. I have a birthmark on my nose. My family is nuts." He found it amusing. And that same guy is sitting on the couch two cushions over from me, playing his video games while I type, almost 29 years later. So, the right person will embrace your "Rudolph"... Mostly because they've got their own internal Island of Misfit Toys, too!
So happy you found yours! Happy Holidays and stay safe and warm up in Maine! The whole East coast is supposed to get blasted with ice and snow. Ack!
🥲 That kind of Hallmark Christmas was new to me too. Given there’s a book from the other side with Lily, it’s funny to see your insecurity of it and perspective of your beau. 🥰 We are our worst critics.
Wowee!! “Decorate what already makes you interesting.” I’m currently standing in the Magic Kingdom facing Cinderella Castle reading this as I wait for the nighttime parade, and this line has mesmerized me. Thanks for sharing this post! It made an already magical place even more magical! I’m excited to ponder how this applies to me as I watch the parade. ✨
EVAN! You’re in paradise!
Have a blast
Enjoy the parade!
And my god you have much to decorate my brilliant friend. One of a kind :)
For most of my life, my “Rudolph quality” felt like a liability. I was the distracted talker, the one who spoke easily with everyone, the person who could move between groups, who was often read as insincere or two-faced. Even my own family was hard on me for it.
Until one afternoon, when I saw it through my husband’s eyes. We were out running errands and kept getting stopped by people: someone from my book club, Audubon society, the dog park, and the volunteer Search and Rescue team.
I assumed Ron was getting irritated, and later he admitted the first few interruptions did bother him. But then one of my kiddos from the library spotted me, lit up, and ran over. I slipped into “Mr. Jacob” without thinking, crouching down, asking lots of questions, and listening intently.
Later, he told me, “It’s like being with a local celebrity. I’m Mr. Jacob’s husband," he had said, smiling, "and that’s pretty cool.”
That moment didn’t just change how he saw me; it changed how I saw myself. The trait I’d been taught to dim was, in fact, a light.
AHHHHHHH RUDOLPH! Beautiful! Wonderful all around--for your friends, you, Ron, your student. Thanks for sharing, Mr. Jacob :)
I wish more people would own their "Rudolph." I think it's something that comes with time and experience, though. But when you really like someone you first meet, there's such an internal pressure to want them to see you in your best possible light. Not in a fake way, but just (what you think is) the "best possible version" of you.
I remember on my first date (this was the days of newspaper personal's ads where you DIDN'T see what a person looked like), I'd talked to this guy for two weeks before meeting him. I really liked him. When we met, I immediately stated rattling off all of the things wrong with me: "I have a torn earlobe. I have a birthmark on my nose. My family is nuts." He found it amusing. And that same guy is sitting on the couch two cushions over from me, playing his video games while I type, almost 29 years later. So, the right person will embrace your "Rudolph"... Mostly because they've got their own internal Island of Misfit Toys, too!
So happy you found yours! Happy Holidays and stay safe and warm up in Maine! The whole East coast is supposed to get blasted with ice and snow. Ack!
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!
🥲 That kind of Hallmark Christmas was new to me too. Given there’s a book from the other side with Lily, it’s funny to see your insecurity of it and perspective of your beau. 🥰 We are our worst critics.
So true! New year resolution: be kinder to all including self!!!! Happy Holidays!