Or… How four moms helped another mom get elected to the BOE.

We became fast friends many years ago in our church’s playgroup. The bond of our friendships were formed in faith and family. And while those weekly, two-hour play-dates were great for our preschool babies, we would joke that it was really more for us. In fact, I believe it was during one of those weekly meetings that the idea of our friend’s future political candidacy would be born. We joked, in part, about how our gifts and personalities would fit into her campaign team – planning/scheduling, speech writing, promotion – all of us, cheerleaders. We had it covered. 

Fast forward 15 years.

Tonight, our candidate will be sworn in to her first elected position as a representative on her local Board of Education. One of 10 contending for the three available seats, her win surprised many. But not us. We know our girl. We know her heart and intentions. Even before her application for candidacy was filed, she did the legwork to learn what would be expected of her. She attended meetings and researched issues. She read books and articles. She made phone calls to the state and asked questions.

And then she got to work.

Our candidate pulled together her team, brainstormed, planned, and organized a campaign strategy. This group of friends, now a real campaign staff, were each uniquely equipped with the necessary skills required to oversee a local campaign – strategizing, design/branding, content writing/editing, social media management, research, and community outreach. In six months, we were able to introduce our candidate to our community, create her brand, share her issues, and build a constituency base. All of this done by following the guidelines provided by the State Board of Education and utilizing our God-given skills and abilities. We couldn’t lose.

Plans delayed are realized.

In the last 15 plus years, so much has changed while even more stayed the same. No more diapers and sippy cups, our children are in college, high school and middle school. Our friendships solidified as we supported each other through seasons of tragedy and celebration. Not just friends, but family… a village as my own children describe us. Playgroup helped to create two generations of life-long friends. As wives and moms first, we have willingly delayed our own dreams and plans as we place the needs of our families above our own. Still, those plans and dreams remain. Tonight is the realization of one of those dreams.

On behalf of our entire campaign team, congratulations Natalie. I know I look forward to seeing the next dream come true.

We are all,

Blessed to be a blessing.