I Knew Jen When

Written by Lea Jabieski Shulman, one of Jen’s best friends from high school.

Jen and I met our sophomore year in high school. Someone was smart enough to pull the fire alarm on Halloween and managed to give everyone in the school a little recess outside. Jen was standing with a group of mutual friends. She was the one dressed like a hippy, guitar in hand. I’m pretty sure not too many people came to school in a costume that day, but that’s Jen.  She is fun and free-spirited.

I know that anyone who reads Jen’s blog (or who knows what she does for a living) knows she is open about her struggles with ADD and disorganization. I imagine her clients must feel like her best friends; they know she is witty and emotional and flighty and quirky and creative and smart.

But I’m the lucky one who knew Jen before Jen had this amazing self-discovery.

I knew her when she just couldn’t study for a test (but everyone said she wouldn’t.)

I knew her when she lost her pen, her binder, her jacket, her keys…

I knew her when she was day-dreaming, gazing out the window when she was trying to do her homework.

I even knew her when she forgot to feed my cat when my family was away on vacation. (Don’t worry, the cat was fine!)

Jen and I recently reconnected, just as we are rounding the corner of our twentieth high school reunion.  And the more we are getting to know each other again I see how perfect it is that she does what she does for a living. When you have lived what you teach, one can only be seen as an expert. Who better to help people out of their disruptive and disorganized work patterns than someone who can empathize with the same struggles? She lives and breathes the techniques she offers in her guidance, everyday.

Jen is witty and emotional and flighty and quirky and creative and smart. Now I know Jen can add “successful entrepreneur” to the list.

Lea Shulman
Lea Shulman Interiors