Back in 2018, when I was just a newly developing lead teacher, I was outside with the children, juggling the chaos of consoling a crying child and managing a particularly rowdy one. Amanda, the girl next door—literally, as her classroom was directly across the hall—stepped out and asked, "Would you like some help?" My pride resisted, as I had grown accustomed to doing everything on my own, but reality said yes. And thus, our lives began to intertwine. Amanda soon offered me a new role as her assistant: more pay for what appeared to be less work. I declined, wary of becoming her servant, cleaning chairs, and scraping gunk off the floor, even if it did come with a higher paycheck. She found someone else to be her assistant, but our lives stayed connected. She then offered something more valuable that I could not turn down. She offered knowledge and education, and the opportunity to see the practice firsthand. Amanda introduced me to Rethinking Challenging Behaviors, which later became an actual series I teach new teachers, because it changed my perspective and even led me to become a certified STARS trainer in Washington State. In the beginning, we would embark on long drives, wasting gas but filling our minds with insightful podcasts on child development and early learning. She often paused at what seemed like the worst moments, only for me to realize later just how thought-provoking her insights were. Amanda challenged my views on child-rearing, growing humans, and problematic practices from our upbringing. She would often question: “How does that serve the child? What does that teach them? How could you teach the same thing differently? How do you feel after trying it another way? Did you know children do not lack the will; they lack the skill? How can you teach that skill in a way they can understand your message?” It truly was annoying and gut wrenching at times! But it’s what makes her, her, and her perspective on child development has always been right. Amanda is now my fiancé, and we are getting married in April. She is the only person I have ever been willing to let so close to me, showing me a way of life I never knew existed but cannot now imagine living without. Our story began with Amanda opening her door and offering help, guiding me to grow and become a better educator and person. She is the one I knew I’d love for the rest of my life, and I even told her that from the start—though she didn’t believe me then. But if anyone could break through my defenses and show me a new way of living, it was her. And when I saw that, I knew she was the one.