Over the last couple of months, I’ve had several business trips. Each time I go out of town, my family’s schedule has to be completely rearranged. From getting Ayva to school to finding a babysitter for Jamie, there are a lot of moving pieces we have to get together. If it wasn’t for Terrence, there’s no way I’d be able to travel. I wouldn’t be able to do the things I need to do to be able to follow my dreams.

Where so many wives talk about all of the preparation they have to do to be able to do anything for themselves, I can leave without even making a list. I don’t plan dinners when I’m away, putting casseroles in the freezer so the kids won’t eat fast food when I’m gone. Terrence has no problem making a home-cooked meal. I might check in with a reminder about an event or activity that Ayva has. If I didn’t, I know Terrence would remember to get her where she needs to be regardless.

My man does an amazing job of holding things down when I can’t, and I appreciate him tremendously for it.

A few months ago, I started a new job. I was concerned about sending Jamie to daycare while I worked a full-time position, but Terrence talked to his employer about working from home one day a week. It’s not just that he’s supportive, he’s proactive in his support. It makes a difference in the things that I’m able to do, and I’m so grateful to him for it.

The main reason that Terrence is so supportive is that he’s just an incredibly giving man. The other reason is that I tell him what I need. When he sees that I’m getting overwhelmed, he’ll often ask, “What can I do to help?” Before I wouldn’t give him things to help me with. I would hold it all in. I’d try to manage my work, the kids, and everything else all on my own. Once I started to let him know what I needed, he had no problem jumping in and taking some of the load off for me.

So, I want to give a shout out to Terrence. He knows how important it is for me to have a life outside of being a wife and a mom. Terrence gives me the foundation at home that allows me to be able to do that. I’m grateful for his love, and feel like the luckiest woman in the world to have a man who believes in me like he does.