Stephanie: I Am Not Under a Spell

I have received so many kind and caring messages these past few weeks, and I am so happy to report that Cruz is doing amazing and is completely caught up in school. Moving him was a tough decision, but it has been the best move for our family. He is feeling very empowered and encouraged to learn and grow in an environment where he feels comfortable and confident.

Growing up, Travis faced a lot of trials as a kid. Travis has struggled with dyslexia his whole life, to the point of failing third grade for not being able to read. He was also wheelchair bound with Legg-Perthes disease for almost four years of his life until they found a viable treatment solution. Nobody would hang out with him at school because not only of the way he looked but the way he learned, so he always felt that he wasn't as smart or as good as the other children. That's where a lot of his concern came with Cruz — he never wanted Cruz to feel like he was different in school.

Through this, Cruz and Travis have bonded so much because Travis is his biggest role model in life. Every little boy wants to look up to their dad and call them their hero, so it warms my heart to see Cruz look at his dad and how much he has accomplished in his life, knowing that he can do the same thing!

Going into my meeting with Cary, I was a little hurt but more confused. I know there was more to this story than what was shared at the white party, so my goal was to get to the bottom of it because I love and cherish the friendship I have with Cary too much to not address this. I couldn’t understand why in the world she would say that she didn’t want to be my friend after how close we have grown, especially over these past few months.

I understand how she felt defeated and alone at the white party, and the last thing I want is for her ever to feel like she has no friends, so as her friend, I felt it was my duty to invite her to dinner and remind her that I do love her! I feel like when my relationship with Brandi started to flourish again, I didn’t spend as much time with Cary as I had over the summer. I should have been a better friend to both Cary and Brandi and made sure to allow equal time for both. Cary was the one that was there for me when I felt like no one else was, and I need to honor and respect that. I wasn't under any spell sort of spell by Brandi; I was just excited to have my friend back. But in that excitement, I let one friendship slip, and for that I am sorry! I will admit that Brandi and I were joined at the hip last year, but this year, I feel as though I have found my own voice and started guiding my own path. But on the same note, I am not under a spell by Cary either, nor am I being "manipulated,” as LeeAnne put it. I am just trying to be eyes wide open, manage two friendships that I care about deeply, and try to give Cary the benefit of the doubt.

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