‘Tis true. Though no one turned out to be witches or dark queens as in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, we certainly played our parts during the week in Paris. One aspect of the interpersonal relationships that has always intrigued me is the team dynamics of a group. What happens when you throw four type-A personalities together or when three extraverts and one introvert are sharing a bathroom? Let’s discuss.

Drew is, by the Meijers-Brigg’s standard, an ENFJ, which helps us to understand why he is able to enjoy and laugh at most anything and loves looking through positive lenses at people and culture. He believes the best and generally leaves the ‘speaking truth’ concept to the next person (though he is quite articulate). In conflict, even though we haven’t experienced it in our friendship, he seems to be the observer who states the feelings of the group members and lets the more aggressive personality make the decision. Remember, though, that these dynamics are entirely isolated to this setting: a vacation in Paris. Drew has allowed himself the privilege of being a follower on this trip even though he is capable of acting as a leader. This act testifies to his humility and confidence, though they might seem opposite. The three of us, specifically Jena and I, have felt beautiful (even hot at times), wise, funny, and authentic when we hang out with Drew. He sings Into the Woods before breakfast, marched to a drum cadence with me as we walked down Champs Elysees, and asked me about my relationships with people and with the Lord. This friendship has become very special and unique throughout our week in Paris.

I could’ve described the role that Jena would play on the first day, and in fact I partly did. She fell, though it could and would have been different with a different group, between the girl-next-door role and a Greek-mother part. Highly approachable to all three of us, we all begged advise and sought her wisdom, let down our guards and walked arm-in-arm with her, all while letting her have time in the kitchen and laugh until her sides hurt. She let go of her need/desire to plan things out and allowed John to be the planner. Jena brought out the best in all three of us, and asked great questions throughout the week, hence the girl-next-door role. She blossomed in the vacancy of responsibility and smiled in spite of it! It was wonderful to see the boys seek her out and serve her… they didn’t even have to think about it. She had to enjoy her part in the play of events.

John’s role was both fortunately and unfortunately predetermined. Hopefully sometime I can travel with an introverted, logic-driven planner when he/she is not able to fulfill their typical role. John’s personality was not modified for his part in the wardrobe. He was able to use his strengths and minimized the number of times that we might see his weaknesses. He was amazing at getting us to places, and teaching us about the city. I would say that Jena and Drew felt encouraged and safe around him, and I felt very protected throughout our time in Paris. The last few days he even had the opportunity to let us all into his world with conversations that weren’t planned. We wouldn’t have come to Paris without him, I’m confident.

And so the team dynamics were perfect, a playwright couldn’t have written the roles any better.