I remember being afraid to meet Ryan’s family. Will they be shocked to see his black girlfriend? Or did he warn them ahead of time?⁣⁣

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Turns out they greeted me with love. But that fear of being the outsider is what I’m fighting against. It’s what Ryan and I are working together to articulate to our sons. ⁣⁣

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The fact that I still get the question, “What did Ryan’s family think of you when you met them” is proof we have a problem in this country. We are fighting against what’s accepted, assumed & brushed off due to ignorance. I am guilty of accepting things as “that’s just the way it is” but that’s partly why I’m on this platform sharing my life. ⁣⁣

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This week has brought up a lot of experiences and feelings that I’ve pushed aside for much of my life. ⁣⁣

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To the boys who wouldn’t date me because of the color of my skin. You missed out. ⁣⁣

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To the people who stare at me and Ryan when we’re out. I hope you see more couples like us to piss you off. ⁣

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To the woman at the post office who asked to touch my hair, I hope you learned never to ask a grown adult STRANGER such a silly question (friends you can touch my hair). ⁣

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To all of my white friends, unsure of what to post or say, lean into that feeling of insecurity. That’s the feeling we feel when we are the only POC entering a church, store or restaurant. Feeling unwelcome or unsafe in a space isn’t fair and shouldn’t be normal for anyone. ⁣⁣

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This conversation should make us uncomfortable. It’s time to change the narrative. It starts with what you teach your kids about people. Teach them compassion & kindness. Teach them the beauty in differences. Together we make the world better.