Growing up gets a little more surreal as you get older. You start to realize the things you've taken for granted in life and try to do better. We also start to see a pattern of things that have shaped us into the person we are becoming. As I turn 22, I want to reflect on some of the most influential people in my life and explain why I am so blessed that God put them in my life. These people have truly impacted my life and I thank God they did.
1. Daddy: You always supported me in all my crazy endeavors and never told me not to dream big. You taught me the value of a smile and a little extra love and continue to teach me new things every day. Thank you for always supporting my dream and never letting me give up even when it gets hard.
2. Walt: You were the first person to teach me what truly loving someone means. You taught me what it is to want to make the world a better place for someone else and always want to keep them safe. Thank you for being my best friend, even when I hug you and “mom” you too much.
3. Steph: You made my dad joyful and filled hole I think he never knew he truly had. You’re his best friend and his partner and you make him a better man. We love having you and Tessa as a part of the family. Thank you for always making sure our favorite snacks are here, our beds are made and the decorations always match the season.
4. My Grandparents: Both sets of my grandparents are still alive and still bring joy and laughter into my life. My Grandparents teach me what it is to grow old together and how I hope to have that one day. Thank you Gammaw and Papa, Gracias Yita y Victor!
5. All the boys I've ever loved: A weird one right? All the boys I've dated have taught me what it means to love in different ways. I have loved them all and I still love them all because they are part of my story.
Cooper: Thank you for being my first crush and to be honest I am also very sorry, for hitting you in the head with a heart pencil eraser pretending it was a wand and telling you this meant you loved me.
Steven: Thank you for being my first love. Thank you for accepting me for the weird awkward brace-faced middle schooler I was. Not many days go by that I don't think about you and wish you were still here.
Logan: Thank you for making freshman year of high school a little bit easier, but more importantly thanks for being an even better friend 8 years later.
Zach: Thank you for teaching me that relationships are weird and awkward and honestly just because everyone else thinks it should work doesn't mean it should.
Jacob: Thank you for being my second love, the hardest one to get over. You taught me to fight for what I wanted, but you also taught me to fight for myself. I never knew how strong I could be until you broke my heart.
6. Kate Spade: I never got to meet Kate, but she had an impact on my life that she'll never realize. Kate made me realize why I wanted to become a designer. When I was little and got my first Kate Spade it was the epitome of joy in a simple bag and her bags continue to bring me so much joy every day. I want what I design to bring a little more joy into someone's world.
7. My mom: No, she wasn't a good mom by any measure, but she is the reason I had to grow up and become the strong woman that I am today. Thank you for making me grow up and become as strong as I am today.
8. Caroline: My oldest friend and feistiest companion. You keep me true to myself and are never afraid to call me out. You are the keeper of my secrets and the source of many of my laughs. Through life’s ups and downs, we have persevered. Thank you for sticking by my side for nearly a decade.
9. My Theta Family: Even though I am no longer a theta you loved me then and you still do. Thank you for the sisterhood of the black and gold.
Ashley: Thank you for being my grand-big and a wiser and older companion. (Thanks for being "mom" and I love you too Todd/Dad)
Allayna: Thank you for being the best little anyone could ask for, some days I truly look at you like you’re my little sister.
Lesley: Thank you for being my big.
Tessa: Thank you for bonding with me in design and always making me feel included.
Katharina: Thank you for continuing to call me your sister and for asking me to black and gold, and everything in between.
10. My college roommates: Living in three different apartments, with three different roommates was a huge part of my college journey and I am so thankful for it.
Lele: Thank you for being my first home away from home.
Anne and Lydia: Thank you for the laughs in the apartment and the sewing lab.
11. Katharina: My first college friend. I walked into English class and looked for the friendliest person in the room, you had mickey mouse and Snow White on your laptop, and you were dressed nice like me. Thank you for staying in my life and always keeping it interesting.
12. My design cohort: The friends who became my Auburn family. I can’t imagine going into the design world without each and every one of you. I am so blessed to have met so many amazing young designers and I cannot wait to see what we all create! Here’s to all the sleepless nights in Spidle and may we never forget all the memories we’ve made.
Anna Claire: Thank you for always being so supportive of everyone in our cohort.
Anne: Thank you for pushing me to strive to do better.
Avery: Thank you for always being sweet funny little you, you never cease to find ways to make us laugh.
Austin: Thank you for surviving being the only guy in our cohort, it simply isn’t the same without you.
Abby: Thank you for always being so bold and never apologizing for it.
Charlee: Thank you for always being uplifting and a light in the dark lab.
Courtney: Thank you for always being so sweet and genuine and the Auburn queen. War Eagle!
Emma: Thank you for always being such a leader and risk-taker in our cohort.
Emilee: Thank you for being my favorite smiling face to see when I walk into behind the glass.
Hope: Thank you for being my capstone partner and becoming my best friend. I don’t know what I would have done without you on all those sleepless nights.
Haley: Thank you for your infectious, loud laughter.
Hannah: Thank you for showing us the proper way to take a jello shot.
Lydia: Thank you for not judging a book by its cover when we first met, becoming my best friend, my roommate, and my sleeping in the lab partner.
Mariah: Thank you for being so hardworking and for giving us the chocolate milk dress.
Natalia: Thank you for always stopping what you were doing and helping people out.
Nouron: Thank you for being the mom of our cohort.
13. Gae Sharp: My art teacher who first discovered my talent and love for design. Even a decade later you still follow up with all my design projects. Thank you for always encouraging my artwork and designs, you are the reason Suzanna Rita Designs exists.
14. Blair Waldorf: My style icon since high school. May headbands, sparkles and plaid never go out of style. I have loved reinventing and capturing looks from such an iconic character and I can’t wait to continue. Thank you for teaching me that fashion is finding and loving yourself and never apologizing for looking fabulous.
15. Babyfair: The most wonderful children’s wear internship a girl could dream of! I learned so much and I was surrounded by so many wonderful and inspiring people. Thank you for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime.
16. My Doctors: Always looking out for me, even when they see me too often. From getting me through tough times to finally getting rid of my eczema these women have done it all- they are my heroes.
Skylar: Thank you for always reaching out and caring about me outside the office and never giving up on finding a way to help me when I’m down.
Rebecca: Thank you for always fitting me into your busy schedule and taking care of me while I am home. Thank you also for always supporting my dreams outside the office.
Sarah: Thank you for getting me through college and helping me to grow.
Martha: Thank you for being the first doctor I could really trust and thank you for being a part of my life for seven years.
17. The many moms: Over the past 22 years I have met more moms than I’ll ever be able to count. So many of whom saw the lack of a mother presence in my life and took turns stepping in. Some of you stepped in and I knew you were there and some of you stayed behind the scenes, nevertheless, thank you for being a mom.
18. St. Rita: My namesake-Suzanna Rita Pickering. Known as the Saint of the impossible, loneliness, and abuse. I have always felt your presence in my life, and I thank you for watching over me.
19. My Cousins:
Natalie (& Troy): Thank you for taking care of when I came to visit in Missouri! I love getting to talk to you more and I’m so glad we’ve gotten closer.
Patrick: Thank you for always making the whole family laugh.
Thomas: Thank you for reaching out, I love all our fun random conversations.
Stan III: Thank you for keeping an eye out for me in high school. I always loved knowing that if I needed anything you were a senior when I was a freshman.
Caroline: Thank you for being my Bachelor Monday go-to girl! I’m so glad you moved to Birmingham.
Clancy (& Craig & Gigi): Thank you for spending so much time with me in New York this summer and every time I visit. I love getting to see y’all! Also, Gigi thank you for being my tiny model and inspiration.
Rob (& Kelly): Thank you for teaching us all to look at the true beauty of nature.
Stan: Thank you not only for always being so sweet and loving to me growing up, but also to Walt, and everyone else for that matter.
Jim: Thank you for always being up for anything-including noodling.
Will (& Becca & Penelope): Thank you for always demonstrating such strong faith and love for UT.
William Edward: Thank you for keeping us all young, and in the loop.
Frank Jr. (& Jenny): Thank you for demonstrating a young love we all strive for.
John: Thank you for always taking an interest in my truck and always offering to help with it.
Leticia Marie (& Joey): Thank you for always being “the hostess with the most-est”.
Patricia: Thank you for being the big sister I never had. Thank you for always being a phone call away and always letting me stay when I visit.
Rafael: Thank you for always having my back and always watching out for Walt.
Mariana: Thank you for always being so sweet and kind to all of us, you always call us out and keep us honest, andddd keep us laughing.
Victoria: Thank you for always being the little sister I never had, for always being so invested in what I did and for all the sleepovers and play days along the years.
Cipriano: Thanks for always being our chef and making something new.
Violeta: Thank you for always making us laugh and continuing to surprise us.
Alejandro: Thank you for always keeping us on our toes, we never know what crazy thing you’re going to do next.
20. My Aunts and Uncles:
Frank: Thank you for being a hero to so many of us.
Leticia: Thank you for furthering my sewing skills and being so patient with me when teaching me.
Stanley: Thank you for caring so much and showing so much interest in my capstone project.
Kathy: Thank you for always taking such a huge interest in my designs.
Judy: Thank you for all the treats, cookie parties, coaching, and quick get-aways over the years.
Angel: Thank you for always picking us up from school when we were younger, making us snacks (or in Walt’s case another whole meal), and helping me with Suzy bows and blooms.
Bill: Thank you for allowing me to take pictures and growing my hobby.
Ellen: Thank you for always paying attention to every little detail and making sure everyone knows about it.
Bob: Thank you for being “the best hunter ever!”
Regina: Thank you for always checking on us and making sure we are okay, even when you have other things going on.
William: Thank you for teaching all of us and any other student you had a true love and appreciation for music.
Themis: Thank you for teaching us to live life to the fullest and not talk things for granted. You will always live on in our hearts.
Carolina: Thank you for always giving me a place to stay and making sure I know I am loved.
Victor: Thank you for being my God Father.
21. Joan Williams: My high school English teacher. You taught me a new love for English and learning I never expected. You helped me and were around whenever I needed you. Thank you for always being such a wonderful teacher.
22. Maddie: You are my oldest friend. We met as itty-bitty kindergarteners and our friendship has grown and evolved since. We’ve both grown through different phases of life, but I’m so thankful we have grown back together.
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