Dear Friend,

I know we've been friends a long time. We've worked together; gone to church together; homeschooled together. I have appreciated your advice and friendship over the years.

Today, I interviewed for a promotion at work. It's a leadership role with added responsibility, with a little added pay. It's a position I was asked to apply for.

You called me an idiot in front of all my co-workers... not once, not twice, but three times you called me an idiot. You put me down and said I don't know how to say no. All because I applied for a promotion.

I wanted to tell you that I can be a mother and have a job. I can enjoy my work and feel fulfilled by it. I wanted to tell you that even if I worked Monday through Friday, 8 to 5, I would still be a good mother. I wanted to tell you that I don't have to be identified only by my work at home. I actually went to college and have multiple certifications for this job. I support my family with this job. I wanted to tell you that maybe I actually want to move up. I wanted to tell you that I don't want to just get financially by working less and less until the point where I lose all my skills and become obsolete. I wanted to tell you that I can still work the same amount I am now and get this position. I'm not giving up my kids or family time to do more.

But I was too stunned.

So I said nothing.