The One Where Ashley Grows Up
- Ashley Lynn
- May 19, 2022
- 12 min read
Hello! Please to meet you - I am Ashley!
In 1993, we saw many great events. We witnessed the Chicago Bulls win the NBA Championships. The Ford Motor Company was one of America's largest corporations. The infamous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, Ohio had started construction. The average movie ticket price was a mere $4.14 and 'X-Files' had premiered on television. I was also born.
I was born to Larry and Dina. My dad was a trucker. My mom primarily caught and detained shoplifters for the TJX companies - once I was born, she transitioned to Real Estate full-time. My dad was a mix of English, Scottish, French and Irish while my mother was full-blown Armenian. I'm probably bias, but a trophy mix if you ask me!
I entered this world at 12:03pm on Sunday, August 1st, 1993. I already had lots of fans. Being the first (and only) child to my parents and the first grandchild on both sides of the family, it's safe to say I lead in true Leo fashion by being the center of attention early on.
When my parents brought me home, I was a hit on Barnaby Place. We lived in a cul-de-sac and some of the neighbors already had young children. Everyone came to see me. The majority of my dads family resided in Kansas and Ohio, so many of them flew out to meet me. Most of my mom's family was local and we have several videos or photos of them welcoming me into this world, too.
Even though my dad really wanted a boy, my parents were head over heels that their healthy little angel was finally here after nine long months. My dad would always sing this little song to me when I was in the womb. "Daddy loves the baby, does the baby love the daddy?" He turned those lyrics into a subpar 'dad' song, which I'm sure he was so proud of at the time. I remember him telling me the craziest story when I was maybe five or six. Apparently I started singing the song, in the same rhythm as he would. Startled, he asked where I heard that song from... I completely blew his mind when I explained that I heard it when I was "in mommy's tummy." How could I have even known this? He was floored. One of my favorite stories from my dad.
Growing up was a lot of fun. Experiencing a 90's childhood was the best. We didn't have phones to text our friends if they were home. We knew they were home by riding our bikes down the street and physically knocking on their doors. Our parents also knew where we were by which house had all the bikes parked out front. Crazy concept, I know. On the weekends, 8am would roll around and I was out the door seeing if my best friends were home. Living in a cul-de-sac was amazing. Summer days consisted of non-stop rounds of capture the flag, 4 Corners, bike races, basketball, football and of course, who could hit the longest dingers.
"What's up, Big Slugger?"
One specific memory I'll always keep close was when my best friends, Taylor and Christina, and I we having a batting contest. Their dad, who I was a huge fan of, would pitch to us and we'd see who'd crush the ball the furthest. We were all generally good, but one afternoon, their dad, Kelley, put down his bottle of Old Style, and said "whoever can hit this bottle wins the game and $20." As a 9-10 year old, that was serious business. I immediately volunteered to go first. We each had one shot. I was probably two-hundred feet away from the beer but I was up for the challenge. In my mind, I knew the chances of hitting the bottle with no bounce was nearly impossible. I got in my stance and Mr. Kent threw the first pitch. I'll just say this is where I got the long-lasting nickname 'Big Slugger.' Not only did I hit the bottle on the first swing, it was full and I absolutely shattered it. I attended Taylor's beautiful wedding in December of 2018. I hadn't seen Kelley in about fifteen years and I was greeted like I crushed his beer earlier that day. "What's up, Big Slugger?!" A nickname I never minded and will never forget.
We can't forget the constant freeze pop breaks, the diving for diving sticks in the complex pool, minestrone or noodle soup for lunch (yes, even in the scorching heat) and the occasional screw ball ice cream from the ice cream man. I mean stop-what-we're-doing, full sprints into the house, up the stairs and into dad's 'ice cream' change stash when we heard the music. I remember my dad finding this old bike, conveniently the next size up. At an early age, I wanted to be a cop. So naturally, we spray-painted the pink bike blue and got police stickers to put all over it. My dad even made me a 'ticket' notepad so I could give my friends their tickets for speeding - LOL. Oh, what a time to be alive!
"You are just like grandpa Albert!"
My parents both worked so my mom's parents, who were retired, were often my babysitters. When I was in pre-school, they would always pick me up and when grandpa would ask what I wanted for lunch, my answer was always "Pita Inn." We lived right down the street and that was my go-to. How could you go wrong with shawarma? Another go-to was Mr. E's. My grandpa and I would walk across the street and pick up food for us and my grandma. It was your typical burger place. Mr. E was the owner. He loved my grandpa and I. Our picture even made it up on the wall! I wish I had the picture, but it was my grandpa standing behind my blue stroller and I was leaning forward to see past the shade cover with my sunglasses on. My grandpa was my best friend. I'm lucky he's still alive and I get to see him on a weekly basis. My grandma Seta passed away November of 2017. It's a little depressing watching the people you love get older. I know it's a part of life, but they essentially raised me. I learned a ton of what I know from my grandpa, Albert. He was, and still is, my role model. So much of our family say I resemble him. Almost like God said 'copy and paste' and somehow I came out being just like him. We're very much alike and it's the highest compliment.
Being a super athletic kid, I was always on the go. Whether I was out with friends or at a tournament, I was moving. My grandparents were amazing, but not the most athletic. My grandma was overweight and would never play sports with me. She was my biggest fan, though. She'd come outside and watch me play every single day. My grandpa was in better shape, but still older. He wasn't going to be running around with me for hours, though there were a few times he tried. Bless his heart. I'd get so excited when I'd see my dad walking down the street after getting home from work. I remember he'd put his cooler and keys down and grab the gloves right away. We'd always play catch in the street until my mom got home to make dinner. To this day, my aim isn't great, but I credit my arm to practicing with him. It was, and still is, the little things.
My school years were some to remember. Elementary school was full of adventure and how much I liked it. I had a lot of good friends and I loved all of my teachers. There are a handful that I still talk to today. I remember Field Day's and the Scholastic book fair. I always wanted every book. I wasn't a big reading fan, but when the fair came around, I was #TeamCaptainUnderpants and wanted all the cool erasers.
Middle school was fun, too. I got to play basketball and I was introduced to the music side of things. I played trumpet and was pretty good. I played concert band as well as placed third chair in the jazz band. I also had my stint on the flute, baritone, trombone, piano, drums/percussion and tuba. I only got stuck with the tuba because I was the only person in the band who could carry it, or so the Band Director said. Looking back, I'm not sure how I fell for that. If I could carry it, there were plenty of boys in my class who could have, too. I definitely enjoyed drums and trumpet the most.
High school was a period where many people claim they'd never go back to, but I really enjoyed my high school years. I wouldn't have considered myself a jock, but I was known for my role in athletics. I was friendly with everyone but had three close friends and often wanted to stick by myself. I was often in the limelight because I played sports - all the athletes were. I only had two teachers in my four years that I was not a fan of. Like my earlier school years, I still talk to many of my former teachers. The few that made the biggest impacts would be ones I'd love to have attend my wedding. I played basketball, softball and ran track in high school. Track was the clear focus after retiring from basketball after my sophomore year. I'd love to explain now, but we'll get into my athletic career at a later time. My group consisted of Dhara, Linda and Rani. I'm still close with Dhara and Linda but Rani moved South and stopped communicating with anyone. I've had no contact but I hope she's well.
I was very laid back growing up, I think I still am for the majority of things. Junior year came quick and I had to decide what I was going to do with my life. I'll give it to you straight - I wanted to run Track & Field at West Virginia University (Let's Go, Neers!!!) and study to become an undercover police officer. Due to some unforeseen events, I didn't end up running at WVU. I had a 4.5 GPA on a five-point scale in high school but I ended up going to Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. Wasn't thrilled about the choice or really proud of myself, honestly. When I get into my collegiate years, you'll see how it was one of the best choices I have probably ever made.
When I turned 21, I moved out of my parents' home in Wheeling. I moved about fifteen minutes away to a nearby suburb. My grandparents had owned a condo for several years and the tenants were on their way out. Since I was finishing up my college years, my grandparents thought it would be exciting if I moved in. The unit was paid off, in a decent location and I'd have some more privacy. The previous tenants left the place trashed. They had cats and I remember walking up the stairs (I am at the end of the hall) and smelling cat urine. All I thought to myself was "I hope that isn't coming from my unit..." Well, it was. I'm allergic to cats, too. We ended up gutting the entire place with the exception of the baseboards and the bathtubs. Everything else was replaced. The deal was I had to help and be available for anything the family friend that we hired needed. I loved home improvement so this was an easy decision. Even though there is no mortgage, we have other fees, which I try, every month, to pay for. My grandpa never accepts. I feel like trash about it often, but over the years, I've found other ways to 'pay him back' his allotted costs each month. I'm entirely grateful for him and his generosity and I try, everyday, to pay his blessing forward. Love you, Grandpa.
I'm currently working for a small, family run, business near my home. I'm their Marketing Assistant - except really I'm there for everything else. My degree is actually in Sports Management. They were fully aware of my lack of marketing skills upon being hired. While I do some 'soft' marketing, I lead the way in Sales, Packing/Receiving, QC and general 'office' duties such as filing, scanning, running old files and paperwork - LOTS of paperwork! I complain sometimes, but I do like my job. It's not what I went to school for but I do make enough to support myself, my private investments for myself and my future family and travel. I live within my means and knowing I don't have a mortgage to pay, I know that I have to leave room for that when the time comes. I joke that I work to keep pouring into my investments but that's true for the most part. I can do it now, so I might as well. Other than pay, I essentially have unlimited time off. My manager is amazing when it comes to that. She's extremely flexible and I think that's part of the reason employees stick around... I mean, we only have three employees not including myself or my manager. My boyfriend relocated down to Texas for a year and between him coming back home and me going out there, my boss was more than accommodating in that process. If I left to fly out on a Thursday and we got paid that Friday, she'd cut checks early just so I could have a paycheck to go down there with. She really is amazing when it comes to that sort of thing.
Outside of work, I'm pretty boring. I like to read and organize. As of the last two years, I've been a big fan of the Xbox, specifically Fortnite. I have two pups, well, they actually turn fifteen on May 22nd, 2022. I adore them. They're my little buddies - Leon Michael and Logan Marley (yes, I gave my pups middle names - "Michael' because Leon is super athletic. Big Michael Jordan fan here... I had Logan's middle name picked out because he resembles good ole' Marley from Marley & Me. I wanted them to have the same initials which is why I went with Michael and not Jordan for Leon. It fits them well. LMP.) I love going for long walks on scenic trails. I live in the suburbs of Chicago so I have to travel out quick a bit for any quality trail, but it's always worth it for the peacefulness.
I have an amazing boyfriend who is my rock. He and his son are my favorite people on this Earth. I really would do anything in the world for them. Maybe it's where I live, but I definitely get into depressive slumps sometimes and knowing I have them to look forward to and talk with makes my heart the happiest.
I take nothing in my current relationship for granted. I think we've all been in shitty relationships before - I am living proof. It's exhausting trying to keep up with people and having a constant walking-on-eggshells mentality when you're with someone. That was the majority of my last relationship. A low energy day for him meant danger for me. Anything I'd try to do would get flipped upside down. You want space? I give you space. Now I'm not there enough? Bad Ashley. I couldn't keep up with this constant back and forth nonsense. I was tired of being mentally abused and having every thing I did (or didn't do) be wrong. I was never right, and I don't mean in life or in arguments... But nothing I did was ever enough. Quick story: One Christmas, I got him some superb, super-gadget coffee/espresso maker machine. It did everything and made every type of coffee. It was about $500. I paid $100 more for the gunmetal black, which is what he liked. He had the audacity to open it and claim the one he wanted was about $500 more and how dare I not know him well enough after four years since I got him the 'cheaper,' option. Mind you, we were freshly broken up at this point but I had bought these gifts awhile back and was out of the return window for original credit. Not only did he comment on my 'horrible taste,' he asked if we could exchange it for the better one. Not on my dime. I ended up returning it for store credit - One of my only 'wins' in that relationship.
I'm done wasting my breath on old news... Back to my current treasures. My boyfriend probably has no clue what he does for me. We've had our disagreements and we've been disappointed with each other, but we always come back. We're good at apologizing and taking responsibility for whatever we said or did that the other didn't like. He's definitely taught me a lot in this sense. He makes me talk out the situation where before, I would stay silent and not say a word. Not in a pompous way, but I never want to regret what I say when I'm angry. I definitely take more time now to evaluate each situation, good or bad, and that credit goes 100% to him. His son, oh my. The sweetest, kindest, big-hearted kid you will ever meet in your life. I know a lot of people in this world who could pick up a thing or two from him. He's wise beyond his years and even though I'm not his biological mother, he makes me proud of him every single day. He's super athletic and loves his sports, Nerf wars, Fortnite, and so much more. You know, normal boy stuff. There's never a dull moment with him and I wouldn't trade this pseudo-parent life for anything. As much as I hope to have a child of my own one day, I'm aware there is a good chance that may not happen. Having a baby is a decision made with both parties in a relationship. The current economy and inflation makes normal life difficult so I could see the thought of bringing a human-being into this world probably sounds crazy for most. I can tell, though, it's the hardest, but most rewarding job and the biggest blessing in the world.
Well, there you have it! First blog entry, done! It was a long one, but gives a good idea of my life growing up. I'll dive into more as we go on, but I hope this was a solid intro. Until next time!
Comments