Sometimes you just have to raise a glass and celebrate, and thankfully, with the right gal pals, this is exactly what you can stir into a week night without too much fuss.

Day after day, we teachers, guidance counselors and special educators face what we face, and no matter how you slant or switch up the story, it is a grind. Plain and simple. It has nothing to do with whether we love our jobs, which we all do, for we each love our students, challenges and all, but the wear and tear on one’s psyche is a lot. How do we keep at it, year after year? We run, we bike, we swim, we ski, but more importantly we celebrate together, and in those moments there is the best laughter.

I can’t imagine turning a day older, or facing another dawn without reaching out to this crew, leaning on them through the dark days, plotting together in the sunshine, just evolving into our best selves on the daily.

We are so lucky to have each other in our afternoons. I doubt I would still be teaching without such a supportive group around me. Perhaps y’all feel equally fortunate? If not, search out another job, because at the end of the day, those around you will sustain you far longer than you can do it alone. This I know for sure.

With laughter guiding us, there is no doubt we will not only succeed tomorrow, but we will flourish. This is the power of friendships, anchored in the very best of intentions.