There is a perfect balance to my parents’ relationship which reminds me of my fiance and me. I never expected this happening to me. The similarity between my parents and us is uncanny. Even with having two different careers, it totally amazes me.

With my fiance, he is a combination of his parents. Both very talented in their careers as a journalist and a professional ballet dancer.

He is very self-disciplined, artistic, nurturing and creative, and has a vast knowledge about so much - and he is willing to share it. He can set anything to words or design, and it is beautifully perfected because he puts so much of himself into it, and would not settle for less. His intriguing approach to his craft is admirable, for he’s always informative to his peers and to those not in the field but interested.

I look at him and say he would make a great teacher, but then a better father; keeping his focus on his accomplishments. That is family and career.

He wouldn’t be happy as a teacher but perfect as a father.

He has too many artistic aptitudes to share, which expand beyond a classroom with his career. He structures and selects his time by what has stimulated the vast chasm of his creative mind. He brings a wide range of inspiration and versatility to his peers and incredible masterpieces of his work to his clients .

As for me, I have my dad’s hard ass business savvy which blossoms out into my private life at times, but my momma’s softness and nurturing side once you get past the hard ass.

I would say the best advice my mom gave me was focus on yourself and not let a boy distract you from fulfilling your expectations. Years later, since I finished college and have a career, I appreciate this more; but I still have to add when I reflect back and share this with my friends, I honestly think she started telling me this when I was in her womb. She is the socialite where dad and I would rather remain behind the scenes unnoticed.

My parents have worked side by side for 37 years in a restaurant. Although my mom’s role in the business has changed, she was always there ready to crack the whip or enjoys a Manhattan over a game of solitaire, waiting for him to finish up work. I am thinking how much my life has become like my mom’s.

Right down to waiting for my fiance to finish up work while I have a glass of wine and play solitaire.