Happy Tears, November 2nd

It wasn’t until I was in summer camp not having the best time ever when I learned about happy tears. My parents came up at the end of the season a day before camp officially ended to drive us home instead of having us take the bus. I was so overcome to see them that I cried, which took me completely by surprise. I later learned that intense positive emotions such as extreme joy, relief or awe can trigger happy tears, aka the crying response. Why you ask? Good question. Apparently, this release serves as an emotional regulator and restores balance. Ahhh. Doesn’t that make sense? Indeed.

AI says that research identifies four main categories that can active the waterworks: achievement, affection, beauty, and amusement. (In the case of summer camp it was definitely the fourth category of RESCUE from awful food, poor bunk conditions and a mean girls scenario! So thanks for the pickup Parental Units One and Two.) But on a serious note, shedding tears during an emotional, heartfelt reunion can certainly lend cause for turning on the waterworks. As can the glorious end of a long difficult struggle, like studying for the bar exam or planning a wedding. Scientifically, the tears also help lower heart rates and soothe that high emotional energy spike. At the risk of sounding nerdy, science can be so cool.

It’s not often that I cry happy tears. I remember my all out shrill when I found out I got into the college of my choice. And then of course there was the birth of my son, every one of his graduations and him landing his dream job– major tearjerker moments. Joe Biden winning the election was a bigly one. (Didn’t we all just sob with relief?!) Michael has been known to bring me to tears with the heartfelt, sweet things he says from time to time. (He’s such a gem.) But recently something happened related to business and my tears welled up so fast that I had to pinch myself to make sure this was actually reality.

Last year I dug into my pockets and started my own firm. I had lofty goals in mind and some great industry and banking relationships to kick off my foray into the space acting as an Escrow Agent and placing Fiduciary Deposits. Launching the firm was such a leap of faith. But I had been a commissioned employee for so many years that working for myself didn’t seem like such a risky move. Plus I felt brave enough to really be happy. Needless to say that I’m over the moon thrilled to share that after only twenty-two months in business I’ve hit a financial goal I set for myself when I was twenty-two years old! Overwhelming doesn’t even come close to the emotion I felt. So much so that I cried. These were tears of relief, achievement, awe, and success all in one. It was a proud Girl Boss moment.

So to anyone who says there’s no crying in business (or baseball), oh how wrong you are. So break out the Kleenex, friends! We are celebrating big time. And in the words of my favorite poet, ee cummings, the world can truly be “puddle wonderful” and I’m so happy to be making a big ol’ splash.