Week One: Kristen Simonton

(Photograph from Summer 2013)

How long have we known each other: 
Eight Months

Where did you meet: 
At my summer 2013 internship at the Macon Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Story: 
This summer I moved back home to start my first "Big Girl" internship. I had just finished my first year in college at Georgia State and had decided to major in Hospitality Administration. When I came home from school I felt defeated. My grades did not turned out like I wanted. I had always been good at school without little or no work at all. Unfortunately, college was different. All of a sudden my "good" wasn't good enough. I didn't know how else to measure my worth. Lucky for me, God had moved in dramatic ways in my life during that school year. Without all of the hope that God had sewn into me that year I don't know how well I would have been able to dream about my future.

As I was coming home for the summer, I was also confident. I knew God was still working on me. He was giving me the opportunity to start working in a field that I had a passion for, but I was doing it for His purpose. However, I knew the enemy was always close by. Little did I know, God sent me an angel to be with me during my first step into my career future.

Kristen was the first face I saw when I came into the CVB on that May morning. Who knew we would become so close?!

When you first meet Kristen you can sense how professional she is. Kristen is always dressed to impress. She is always rocking a new polish color. And she can always pull together her accessories flawlessly. Heck, she could grace the pages of Vogue!

But, the best thing about Kristen is what you can't see. It's her heart. Call me cheesy, but it's true.

Kristen works her BUTT off. I would use another word, but I am trying to keep this PG. Seriously, Kristen works as though she is owed nothing, but has everything to earn. She is a girl who works to shine the light of Jesus. She is a girl who works to earn her place among the best. And she does! She was recently named one of DMAI's 30 Under 30.

Kristen would just sit and listen to me. REALLY listen. She would listen to my hopes, dreams, aspirations, and Jesus stories. She would also listen to me complain about the copier, labels, mail merge, the mail machine, and Prezi. LORD BLESS HER!

I am humbled by our friendship. I hope that we can someday work together again.

Kristen,

Here's to you! Cheers!

Love,

Sterling