Mentor Monday: Meet Kimberly

Q. Who is your mentee?
A. Taylor, 15 years old.

Q. How long have you been a mentor?

A. 3 years, 3 months

Q. What is the best thing about mentoring?
A. That I get to watch Taylor grow and mature right before my very eyes. She has grown from a shy preteen to an outgoing teenager and the best part is knowing that I have had a helping hand in her life's journey.

Q. What has the biggest challenge been?
A. We had some communications issues in the beginning of our relationship that almost made me want to quit. But I decided to stick it out and overcome that hurdle and our friendship is stronger because of it. Also it is challenging now that she's in HS, because I want to shield her from all of the bullies and be there to defend her when things aren't going her way and I can't. But having her call me or text me to tell me about her day or ask for advice or just to vent is the highlight of my day at times...I look at where we started and it makes me overjoyed because I'm looking forward to where we're going.

Q. What made you become a mentor?
A. Being in the military Mentorship is a very important part of my career. A mentor can offer helpful guidance, they will push you out of your comfort zone...because they know that you can do more and be more, a mentor will assist you and encourage you with reaching your goals. And experiencing all of that made me want to share that experience with someone else.

Q. Why would you recommend someone become a mentor?
A. I recommend people all of the time because of the experience and fulfillment that I have with Taylor. Being able to freely give my time and share my knowledge and my life with such a wonderful young lady has made me a better person. I'm able to look at the world from her eyes and to show her the world from my view and it's exciting and interesting every time we are together and I believe everyone should be able to have that type of relationship with today's generation.

Q. What was the biggest surprise about mentoring?
A. That I would be learning so much from this awesome young lady. She has helped me to be a better person, and I believe I have done the same thing for Taylor. I miss her when we don't get to hang out and I have grown to love her and her family as if they were my own and my family feels the same way.

Q. Anything else you'd like to share?
A. The relationship that Taylor and I have is unlike no other, we are friends and family all rolled into one. I am fascinated by her and delighted that we get to share our worlds with one another. Team Up has been an instrumental part of my life for the last few years and I am a better mentor, wife, mother, sailor, and friend because of it.