My Kami
Twenty six years ago, Kevan and I got to meet our first born and she was perfect. She was a healthy baby with ten fingers and ten toes. We prayed over her for nine months and haven’t stopped. We prayed that she would grow up to be a strong, independent woman. We prayed that she would have a personal relationship with the Lord who created her and that she would love the Lord for all of her days. We prayed that she would be wise in her choices, wise in her finances and that she would not measure her worth according to the worlds standards but by Gods and who He created her to be. It has been a joy to watch her grow up and see these prayers be answered.
As we get ready for school to start I remember fondly Kami’s elementary school years. She enjoyed everything about school. In kindergarten she was a buddy student, recited a banana poem and sang a song about Burger King, Pizza Hut and McDonalds. I think she could still recite the poem and sing the song if asked. She participated in school plays, music club, spelling bees, Battle of the Books and so much more during those elementary years. Kami is smart, sassy, independent and strong willed and she showed it even then.
I will never forget one day Kevan and I had taken the day off and we had been out shopping. On the way home we passed by the school and noticed Kami’s class was outside playing kickball for PE class. Seeing that Kami had just walked up to home plate we pulled over to watch. Pitch after pitch goes by and the other students are annoyed and yelling for her to just kick the ball. I know my daughter and I knew that Kami was waiting for just the right roll of the ball and as several more pitches go by the other students were really getting frustrated. The next thing I know my daughter turns around and yells at her class saying shut up you idiots. I was mortified and started crying. I couldn’t imagine what the PE teacher must think of us and what we were teaching our child at home. That’s my Kami and she never has and never will have a problem standing up for herself.
In Junior High and High School her time was spent with the youth group or playing volleyball. From youth camps and mission trips to youth choir, Kami enjoyed it all. She loved the game of volleyball. She played at school and year around for a local club. These years go by so fast. Kevan and I spent many an hour in the school parking lot waiting for the bus to arrive from away games or waiting for her to get out of volleyball practice. Kevan and I spent many an hour in the church parking lot waiting on her to get back from camp or a mission trip. We would do it all over again!
In the blink of an eye it is time for my sweet, smart, sassy, independent and strong willed little girl to go to college. I didn’t worry about her being two hours away from home. I knew she could take care of herself. I knew that she could think for herself and that no matter the situation she would figure it out. Kami explored a couple of ideas for a degree and finally chose nursing as her career. It was hard and she had challenges but my Kami never gave up. Even in that last semester, just about 6 weeks before graduating, she got the news that her sister passed away and my Kami stayed strong, persevered and graduated.
Since graduation Kami has found success in her career, has found success in her finances, is a strong independent woman who loves her God. She has recently married Eric and I must admit though it came as a shock it is Kami. I will miss not doing the traditional mother/daughter bridal things and watching her get married but those traditional things aren’t Kami and that’s okay! I don’t want my Kami to change or do something that is outside of what defines her. She thought to great length about her marriage and what she wanted and when no possible scenario included her sister she and Eric got married by themselves.
We welcome Eric to the family and hope that he feels at home, accepted and loved. Kevan and I knew it would take a special man to handle Kami and all of her wonderful qualities and that is exactly who God gave her. Eric is just as independent as Kami. He is extremely intelligent and caring. Eric served our country completing two tours in Iraq. He genuinely loves our daughter, embraces and encourages her independence, sassiness, and strong will. Kevan and I now pray for Eric just as we pray daily for Kami. We pray that Eric will see how God has protected him and brought him through all that he has experienced so that he could find Kami and become part of our family.
