Proud: (adj) "feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated."

Recently, I realized how little I recognize my friends who truly make me proud. That being said, the more I think about it and ponder that definition above, while it is an absolute honor to be friends with so many wonderful people, there are some who literally leave me in awe at how much they make me proud; almost as if the Webster definition just isn't enough to describe how unexplainably proud I am to simply be able to be friends with them. Take my "forever best friend" for instance, since fifth grade I have been so proud to be friends with Morgan. She is living with of a rare vision disability, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, yet she does not let it define her. She is on her way to becoming an Occupational Therapist and was captain of her university cheerleading team this past year. Talk about proud!

There are so many different reasons we are proud, we may be proud of ourselves or proud of someone else. It is always wonderful when we do something and feel proud of ourselves, but in my opinion, nothing beats having people in your life who make you so proud to simply know them.

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege to attend a conference alongside some of the most fabulous, dedicated, and loving leaders I have ever met. I'm so genuinely PROUD of myself, to have earned my three year service pin on my lanyard, which is accompanied by a collection of others. Generally speaking, this conference makes me proud of so many people who aren't myself, but a few in particular.

This may come as a surprise, but I learned on closing night of the conference, as I sat at a table surrounded by 2000+ people all in one room at the University of Delaware for the same reason; that I have never felt this type of "proud." I was genuinely proud of those individuals in the room who have come to realize their limits. Those who have worked endlessly and given their all to make a difference, despite pushing to their wits end, bending until they break, and most importantly, not giving up - even when giving up looked promising. Not only am I proud of the people I know who have done this, but also those who have done this without being recognized.

Often, when we work on any team, we are engulfed by change (both expected and unexpected), challenge, and even drama here and there. The sad truth is, that's with just about everything in life. Those who can continue to change the world so positively, while trudging through all of the ups and downs, are the ones who I am so incredibly proud to work with, learn from, and at the end of it all, those who it is an honor to call my friends.

Most importantly, those who know when it is time to throw in the towel. The individuals who do not give up but when life hits them hard, in the face, they recognize that it truly is time to focus on themselves. The ones who gave their all to others and now, they know it is time to give their all to themselves. These are the friends who make me so proud, and the friends who have not only changed my world, but the entire world around them.

I'm not a jealous person, but I can only wish that one day, I'll be able to look back at all of the wonderful memories - the bumps in the road, the laughs, the tears (oh, the tears), and everything in between, and realize, despite everything I had to face, I too have changed the world and made people proud in one way or another. And if not the world, maybe, I've impacted just one person who will go on to change the world - and for that, I will be proud of myself too.