Ask HN: Stories about women who helped you to become a better programmer?

I only know how to write any code at all because a female friend asked to publish a thing I had written, created a small site for my writing and later gifted me the code when it grew too time consuming for her to manage for me. (But, I am a woman, so I don't know how much people here will feel that "counts.")

In college, I had a crush on a girl.. I believed she was my soul mate. Unfortunately, long story short, after years of trying to get her, even dated for a short stint, it just didn't work out. She was so much into her own life and on this path that would -- almost prevent her from having any boyfriends for as long as I've known her -- she is so goal-oriented and focused, that just seems to be her priorities -- but for some reason, I will always have that feeling that she was my soul mate. Anyways, she continues to be and remain an inspiration for me to want to be a better person. I still think of her. We talk seldom, maybe once or twice a year just to update each other, but unfortunately, probably just best for both of us.. there's like this intense interest there but it won't go anywhere because she is so independent and wants to live that "freestyle life" without being in any committed relationship. Whereas she is an extrovert, I'm more introverted. Guess it was just meant to be that way.

Then... years later, I had gotten this programming job and met the woman of my dreams, who also worked in the office, and it did take her a few months to get me to notice her. She didn't give up and we went out and things just worked out well. She keeps pushing me and inspires me and encourages me to be the best I can be. Still together and in our 7th year... I've created a few websites, started up a freelance business, and currently working on starting up a business, and she is also learning virtual reality programming, augmented reality programming, so she is just as encouraged and inspired by me as I am by her. I support her in anything she does -- I've seen her come up with ideas, invest some money, and even invested some money with her, only for her to lose interest, but she keeps going at it. I think she definitely found her calling with virtual reality.. she is so obsessed with it.

I'm sure I'd still be doing my thing without her, but having a woman there to support my dreams and be someone to talk to helps a lot.

Thanks for the read, I'm glad you are in a great relationship. ..Why mention the first woman though? She doesn't seem to have help you with programming...

Sandi Metz. Never met her but her talks and books are amongst the biggest influences in my relationship to designing and testing software.

My mom was a court transcriptionist so that she could work from home and take care of my brother and I. Even though we hovered around the poverty line I had 24/7 computer access from the age of seven.