By Amy Jo Moore
When my husband and I first started dating, I was well into my engineering education and neck deep in leadership roles in SWE. He really hasn’t known anything different. He has always been a huge supporter of me and anything I decide to take on. Even when I decided to go back to school, while working fulltime, completing my term as professional SWE senator, and planning our wedding.
Wade has joined me on just about every other SWE or work trip I make. This past year has been extra travel heavy and on top of it, we welcomed our daughter Nora into the mix. Not wanting to leave her yet, he has been amazing and our little family has traveled together to Columbus, OH for BOD Installation, to Austin, TX for the Winter Senate meeting, and London for work meetings.
He also knows that about twice a month I’m probably going to be at a local college supporting one of their section events or downtown with the Greater Salt Lake professional section. He always makes sure to ask if there will be food and if guests are invited… and what the topic for the evening is. My most recent position in SWE requires me to be on teleconferences about once a week. Wade sees this time as mini play dates for just him and Nora. I love knowing that he looks forward to my conference calls as much as I do.
I recently asked him to help me describe SWE in a word or a phrase. He responded with “For you, it is enjoyment, fulfillment, and pride.” He said he loves the passion I put into SWE and that he can see that I’m proud of the work we put in as volunteers. It made me really happy to know that he understands why SWE is important to me. He also knows that Saturdays are for Rugby, and I wouldn’t miss watching him play for anything.
For Valentine’s Day, SWE members are recognizing their husbands and other loved ones for all of the support they give to help women engineers succeed. If you have a supportive significant other, please tell us all about it using the hashtag #VDay2017 and tag us @SWEtalk.