Introduction
A little bit about me...a little late
My name is Mark…obviously.
I grew up in an (American) football crazy part of the U.S. (Ohio).
The hospital where I was born is now the property of the elementary school where I work nine months out of the year. I’ve come full circle in that respect.
I grew up without a father in my life. Raised primarily in the house by my mom and grandma (her mom). My grandpa (mom’s dad) died at home when I was 9. I also lived with my youngest uncle, who is 7 years older than me. He’s always been more like a brother to me.
I graduated high school back when Prince & the Revolution and the Beastie Boys were at their peak.
I had aspirations from childhood of becoming a Radio D.J….until that dream fizzled out in my mid 20’s.
My first Internet provider was AOL Online through an obnoxious sounding dial-up modem that got interrupted when someone tried to call the house.
I met the woman who is still my wife at Buffalo Wild Wings 29 plus years ago. we married three years later. Before that, I never dated, never went to school dances, none of the traditional high school functions…ever.
I didn’t have my first kiss until I was 19. I was this shy, tall(ish), skinny nerdish (in looks only) through all of my teenage years.
I’ve lacked self-confidence and had poor self-esteem through most of my life, and been dealing with depression and counseling visits since I became an adult in my early 20’s.
New Years Eve, 2003: the birth of my son.
December 16, 2004: my grandma passed away from small cell lung cancer
St. Patrick’s Day 2011: the birth of my daughter.
July 18, 2019: mom passed away from complications from lung cancer
In the time since I met my wife, I’ve had numerous jobs in numerous different fields (too many to count). I’ve worked in fast food, factories, warehouses, and did medical billing until 2011 (when the company I worked for downsized, and I lost my job). I was finishing up my bachelors at the time.
It was then that I decided to go into education, because in Ohio, with a Bachelor’s Degree, in any field, anyone could get licensed to substitute teach. Flash forward 8 years, and I started to work in Special Education as a paraprofessional four months before COVID. I’m still there to this day, and I love my job. It’s truly the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. I’m going to retire there someday.
I have many interests and a few hobbies, likes and dislikes (obviously), but I’ll save those for another time.
