Three years ago I signed up for Sitting Made Simple because I figured it would be the perfect college job to earn a little extra cash. Little did I know, I would leave this amazing company the way I am now. This last month in Columbus has been full of emotions and it's so hard to believe my wonderful years with SMS are coming to an end. As crazy as this may sound, the things I have learned through this company and journey have truly been life changing. I never expected to find my passion, my biggest role model, and support system. Sitting Made Simple has been the best learning experience of my life.
First off, I think the person I need to focus on is Amanda. Her hard work and passion has inspired me in so many ways. As her intern, she has taught me to never give up, work for what I want, and always keep going. Her work sometimes goes unappreciated and after being placed behind the scenes of the company and learning what she does on a daily basis, I want to say thank you. I have never met a person that works as hard as she does. She took me under her wing and has taught me everything it takes to be a strong business woman. I have never met a more inspiring, dedicated, hardworking person. I look up to her in so many ways and she has shaped me into the woman I am today. After many months of preparation, Amanda left me with the company for the first time alone. I learned more in that week than any text book could teach me. It taught me that when I'm caught up in stressful situations, my only option is to react and get the job done. It taught me that when I come across problems, its important to be patient and work through them. It taught me how to truly listen and adapt to any situation that comes my way. It taught me to be responsible. It taught me to be timely and prepared. The list could go on and on. Amanda, simply, is my BIGGEST role model. Even out of the work place, she has been my backbone. Being away from my family was hard. She was there to listen to me when I needed her, give advice when I was struggling, and push me when I felt like giving up. She treated me like family and I will forever be grateful for everything she has done for me. Amanda goes out of her way to make every client, sitter, and person she encounters feel special. Even with a full work load she still makes it a priority to give back to the community. From Fairy Goodmothers to Team Victoria, Amanda has a passion for community involvement. She has this amazing outlook on life and I'm pretty confident she gives the best advice in the world. I will take everything I have learned from Amanda, Sitting Made Simple, and this journey where ever I go in life. Thank you Amanda for everything. I truly will be lost without you in Chicago.
What is a company without its clients? I have had the privilege to sit for so many incredible families throughout my years with SMS and I want to thank all of you for welcoming me into your homes and making me feel so comfortable. Watching you interact with your children has been such a rewarding experience. The joy you and your children have brought into my life is overwhelming. I never thought in a million years I would learn so much from little people half my age. If I could be a babysitter the rest of my life, I probably would. I found myself giving up Friday and Saturday nights to babysit. Not because I wanted the extra cash but because I truly enjoyed being there. I remember telling my parents about Sitting Made Simple when I first started. They were not too pleased to hear I was walking into “strangers” homes and babysitting their kids. The whole idea seemed absurd to them. However, after watching how this company works, the people who employ me, and Amanda's expectations, they are sad to watch me leave this company. The families who were once strangers became my families away from home. Their children became my friends. The company became my support system. Each family taught me a new lesson, each child taught me a new outlook on life, and each sit had its own reward. I feel so blessed and will always remember each special memory I had with every family.
To my sweet, wild Bass boys. You guys do not know how much I'm going to miss you and all of the wild adventures you took me on. I will forever cherish all of the memories we made together. On my very first day, before your Dad left the house, he told me that I was in for a crazy day with you two. He wasn't kidding. From pushing me into the pool during one of my first sits, to telling me my music is for old people, to having our secret ice cream dates where Eli would get every topping possible (sorry Kellie and Al), to Eli kicking Carson and I in our shins while attempting to play soccer, to you guys trying to teach me all of your latest obsessions, to always comforting me when you knew I was having a hard day, you boys always knew how to make me smile. I truly enjoyed watching you grow these past few years and I know you both are going to turn into AWESOME young men.
To Christopher and the Schreiber's. I think you both know how much I love your two little guys. (The tears on my last day, don't even do justice). Some may call me biased, but I'm confident when I say you have the smartest, most charming two year old in the world. That sweet little voice is what I'm going to miss the most. Even on my worst days, I would walk into you home, see him, and everything that was bothering me before that moment, would go away instantly. I can't thank you enough for welcoming me into your home and letting me be apart of your lives.
Everybody reading this should know how incredible Amanda and Sitting Made Simple is. To the sitters, never take a moment for granted. Enjoy every moment you have with these kids because before you know it, you'll find yourself in tears on your last sit with SMS. When you think Amanda is being hard on you, take her advice. She has the best intentions for you and is trying to help you grow as a person. She has high expectations because she knows all of us are capable of reaching them. Take each sit as a new learning experience. Before I started, I didn't know half of what I know now. I'm pretty sure I can change a diaper in under 15 seconds. Maybe I should put that on my resume. Appreciate the families you work for. If it weren't for them, you wouldn't have a job. But most of all, have fun.
I could go on forever about Sitting Made Simple. I think everybody that knows me, knows how much I love and believe in this company. Thank you all for impacting my life and giving me the best three years of my life. My college years wouldn't have been the same without SMS and all of you. I am so sad to leave this company but I can't wait to watch it grow even more. Amanda, you have created something more than a babysitting service. You have created a network of beautiful people that I'm so grateful for. You created an outlet of opportunities for me. But most of all, you created a family that I'm proud to say I am apart of.
Thank You All,
Sophia
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