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I was born in Grand Rapids, MI on November 19th, 1982. I was born in St. Mary's hospital and I was almost 3 weeks overdue.
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I started going to school in 1986 at Greenridge Elementary in Comstock Park Public Schools! I loved school right from the start, and knew in the 2nd grade that I wanted to be a teacher.
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I was extremely close to my Great Grandma when I was young. I still remember the day she passed away and her funeral. She was such a great person and I even gave my daughter her middle name, Mimi.
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I went to high school at CPHS. During high school, I played basketball, volleyball, and golf all four years.
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I made All Conference in Volleyball and Golf my senior year. Our team also won our conference in Volleyball and Basketball.
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I graduated high school in the spring of 2001. I graduated in the Top 10 of my class and as one of the top 5 girl athletes in my class.
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I went to Oakland University for my Undergraduate Degree. Oakland University is located in Auburn Hills, MI; so, I lived about 3 hours away from Grand Rapids.
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While in college, I met my best friend Andrea. We are still to this day best friends (even though we no longer live near one another).
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I graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in social studies and language arts.
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I had been a long-term substitute teacher for Mrs. Cummings when she was on maternity leave with her son, Connor. A position opened up at Mill Creek during the summer. After applying and two interviews, I was hired and began my teaching career!
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I decided to run the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City. I trained all fall and winter and completed the marathon.
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Mike proposed by the lighthouse in Ludington. I, of course, said
"YES"! -
Mike and I were married in Grand Rapids, MI--surrounded by our friends and family. It was one of the best days of my life.
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We got a Chorkie puppy and named him Diego. We drove to the other side of the state to pick him up. Diego is a half chihuahua, half yorkshire terrier. He slept on my lap the whole ride home.
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She was a week late, but we had our first daughter without any complications. We named her Brielle Mimi (Mimi after my Great Grandmother).
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My Grandmother passed away from Ovarian Cancer and my family was told to get genetically tested for increased cancer risk (BRCA1 & BRCA2). I found out a few months later that I carried the gene.
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She decided to arrive on her due date (also our 5th anniversary) without any complications. We named her Sienna Lee (also Mike and his dad's middle name)
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For our anniversary, we decided to travel to New York City (just the two of us). We saw and did SO MANY THINGS. By far my favorite part was going to see the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. Going to watch a Yankee game in Yankee Stadium was a close second.
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I had my first, preventative, surgery to decrease my risk of having cancer one day.
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We moved into our "forever" home. We were so excited because of the fact that we had a bigger yard and more space for our family.
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I had my second, preventative, surgery to decrease my risk of having cancer one day.
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I got to be with my sister when she gave birth to her first child, my nephew, Alden Paul Kaltak. It was such a special thing to be a part of it. Coincidentally, it was the same day that a tornado came through Grandville and Grand Rapids.
