Meet Our New Year 2022 Cover Models
For Tiffany Pauldon-Banks and TaKellia Thomas, having a support system doesn’t necessarily mean having someone in your corner who has been present for the ins and outs of your life’s journey; it’s about having someone in your corner who inspires you, who lifts you up, who encourages you to fight for your full potential with tact and grace. This duo was brought together in recent years by a mutual friend, but they have proven that it’s not the length of a friendship that’s important but rather its genuine nature and ability to help deliver on dreams, both big and small.
HS: Why do you think it’s necessary to have a support system in place?
TPB: Support systems are necessary in order to reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall well-being. My support system has pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to do things I never imagined!
TT: A support system is necessary to survive. Being a recent breast cancer survivor, I don’t know how I would’ve made it without God and my support system. Your support system will clap for you when you excel, wipe your tears, and pray for you when you’re going through tough times. The love is unmatched. We all need a solid support system.
HS: What are some valuable traits that make your friend such an integral part of your support system?
TPB: TaKellia is very direct and honest. When I need to phone a friend because I need an honest opinion, even when I don’t want to hear it, she is my go-to person. That adds balance to my life.
TT: Tiffany is kind, caring, thoughtful, and always encourages me to go the extra mile to achieve all of the goals I set.
HS: What’s the most important thing you’ve taught each other since meeting?
TPB: The most important thing that I’ve learned from TaKellia is being open to seeing things from a different perspective. Also, friendship has nothing to do with the length of time you’ve known someone but the true organic connection you have with a person, whether you’ve known them two years or 20.
TT: Tiffany has taught me to be resilient and that no dream is too big. We’ve all been told these things throughout our lives, but when you get to visually see someone execute their dream, it brings
it all into perspective.
HS: How has your relationship changed through the years? What does it look like now versus when you first met?
TPB: Our relationship has blossomed like the most beautiful flower. The beginning of our friendship was full of dinner dates, lots of laughs, and cute outfits. Fast forward and now we still have those laughs and dinner dates, but we also cry together, lounge around the house together, and have long FaceTime conversations. Most importantly, we share our dreams and hold each other accountable.
TT: In the beginning, it was lots of dinners and drinks to get to know each other. Now I would say our friendship has grown tremendously through being vulnerable and transparent with each other. We’ve observed high and low times for each other and been there to lift each other up.
