My husband and I have lived in Raleigh now for five years, and in the next few weeks the movers are coming, and we are picking up our lives and moving them back to the Midwest. It’s been a hard decision, as we love our city, our friends, and the beautiful street and home in which we live. But by far, the hardest thing we have had to do is say good-bye to our beloved nanny, Amber Nordsving. She has become a trusted member of our family, someone we could always count on, and completely entrust the safety and well being of our little boy. Our nanny, Amber, came to our family at the time when many do: a couple’s first baby, mom transitioning back to the professional world, and all the while worrying and wondering “Who can care for our child and provide the same sort of environment that we do?”

2004 Nanny of the Year Amber Nordsving with Magnus

Luckily for us, TRIO helped us find just that person. From the very first interview, both my husband and I (and baby, too) felt completely at ease with Amber. She was very professional, yet friendly and warm. Most importantly, she was more than enthusiastic and ready to get down on the floor and really interact with our son.

What also struck us was her honesty. From the beginning she told us about her past work experiences: volunteering in high school for the Latch-Key Kids program, and then later taking care of a young paraplegic boy. She said that this type of work was fulfilling because she helped people. We knew we had found our nanny! We had hoped that the person we would entrust our son to would want to be considered part of the family. It’s good to know that it was so much more than an 8-5 job for her.

With all of that said, what makes Amber the “best nanny of the year” candidate? What makes our upcoming move back to our families so bittersweet? It’s all of the things she had done for our son. It’s because he runs to the door to greet her every morning, why he is so active and alert and good with animals, and why he is so healthy and well cared for. It shows every day in his temperament and personality.

In the year that Amber has been with us, she has gone above and beyond the call of duty. There have been trips to the zoo, Duke Gardens, Playspace, the library, and all the local parks in the area. She has combed through every Carolina Parent looking for activities that fit his stage of development. Not only has she been instrumental in his motor skill development, she has made sure that his diet is diverse and interesting. Weekly she has prepared a delicious and nutritious dish that a busy working mom would never have time to prepare. (I probably shouldn’t mention the times when I’ve come home to fresh baked cookies sitting on the counter, and all the rooms are as clean as I have left them in the morning!)

In closing, I would like to say “thanks” to TRIO for getting to know our family, and for handpicking a nanny for us to interview that fit our lifestyle and our personalities. Having a nanny come into your home every morning is very personal, and when that person becomes a friend, then the working relationship of trust and responsibility is made even stronger. Amber has truly become a member of our family. I know that the next family that she works with will be as happy with her and with TRIO’s services as we were.

Sincerely,

Sherry, Hans, and Magnus.