I could hardly wait till this morning to write about my husband John. Yesterday, he was awarded and recognized for his achievements during his second year of being a realtor.

John has worked his way into being in the top 20% of realtors in Salina, Ks.. all while working two careers! He is a natural businessman and we have been in the hair industry for over twenty years. He has said more than once, his hair clientele have been a key role in building his real estate career.

I am not simply writing about my husband’s life narrative (from my perspective) to just brag. I want to encourage anyone working hard towards a greater purpose!

John aka Johnny (his given name) was the fifth child born to hardworking German Mennonite parents, who eventually immigrated their family to the United States. Johnny’s dad was a well-known and successful businessman, selling machinery internationally. John ended up being the only boy in his family, after his fifth and youngest sister was born.

John has talked a bit about some accounts of struggle, one being a language barrier- his family’s first language is German. He experienced being bullied by classmates and teachers alike. He was a smaller kid until the end of his high school years. He learned very early on that hard work and perseverance were the most necessary things to make it in this world! To put it kindly, his father struggled with mental health and was diagnosed as having schizophrenia towards the later part of his life. His dad had some abusive behavior and it really flared during financial and business challenges. John’s dad, Henry passed away at forty-two years old. I think it’s safe to say John has been influenced by his dad’s death, working very hard towards a healthy lifestyle and to make everyday count. Johnny doesn’t have anything unkind to say about his dad. He often says, “if you are going to share the bad, you better share the good!”

Johnny and I have known each other since fifth grade when we became classmates when my family moved to LaCrosse, where his family also grew up. He was quiet and shy. I ran around with his two sisters closest to our age, bringing about the opportunity to really get to know Johnny.

Johnny agreed to bring my homework to me at my homestead for extra credit, while I was on bed rest for a semester after being in a bad car accident. Fast forward, we ended dating and up became teen parents and married a month out of high school. We went on to have three sons, adopted our daughter and fostered two teen girls.

No matter the struggles we’ve faced, Johnny has always worked hard to provide for our family. We have experienced highs and lows. Some of the lowest moments were about twelve years ago.. when we went through some very troublesome financial struggle. Legal action had to be taken towards the person that inflicted wrong doing towards us and our downtown business. We relocated and are the strongest version of ourselves for having gone through a treacherous scenario! Honestly, every hardship we’ve overcome has built character, strength, confidence and determination!

Wow, it feels a bit challenging to summarize how admirable I am of John in a brief blog entry! To tell his narrative I must include that he believes in facing adversity head on, to believe the best is ahead, he knows hard work pays off and most of all~ when you find your passion it comes naturally! He is passionate about going to the gym daily (he’s there while I am writing this entry😉), he’s passionate about his kids and our family, he’s passionate about business and loves home renovations- we’ve grown up around it and continuously have remodeled and built equity, allowing us to move on to what feels the most dreamy as we have been able to make it happen!!

I know that his approach to helping clients buy and sell real estate is more than just a sale! We’ve been on both sides of success. We have grown up in financial struggle and definitely experienced it firsthand, being teen parents and business owners. He sees all the effort that goes into preparing to purchase, sell and move. He is willing and well-equipped to help anyone through the process. He is willing to do what many people aren’t! He’s always going the extra mile. He treats a high-end sale the same as a first time homebuyer and anyone in between.. with respect, excitement, dedication, patience, he takes his job very seriously! I know this is how he’s made it to where he’s at and where he’s headed!

“We do have a conscious say in selecting the narrative we will use to make sense of the world!” -New York Times “Individual responsibility is contained in the act of selecting and constantly revising the master narrative we tell about ourselves!”

John isn’t scared of change, he’s forever improving himself and his approach. He’s charismatic, calculated, and focused! He’s surrounded himself with the best colleagues at Salinahomes.com. I can’t say enough good things about John. Yes, we are human and still have daily struggle, we also know all to well, the view is the best after the hardest climb.

Stay Rosy, Amber

#Halfwaythere #HalfwayToAmywhereYouPutYourMindTo