Happy Birthday Kari!

February 25 is a special day for me and many others.  It's the birthday of our sweet friend, Kari Firestone Heil.  

Although I miss her so much and wish we were experiencing this stage of life together, I'm thankful that her story continues.  Her story has taught many that depression is very real.  Her story has taught many that sometimes it's the person you least expect that is struggling the most.  She is more than her death.  Even in the tragedy, her life continues to provide light and hope for many.


I know that one day her beautiful daughters will want to know more about who Kari was.  What was she like?  My hope and prayer is that they will get a small glimpse into the person who so many loved and enjoyed being around.  I've shared memories in years past, and this year our other roomie, Garyn, shares some more.  We love you and miss you, Kari!

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From Garyn:


Remembering Kari…when I think of Kari, I remember my sweet friend who was full of life as many people who knew her would say.  I remember my friend who was bubbly…who laughed and made me laugh.  I remember so many things, but what I think of most is the kind of friend she was to me.  Kari was someone I could be real with…a friend who made me feel like I could be myself in the most genuine form.  As I have grown older and lived through more years, I understand more each day how rare it is to connect with a friend in that way…to have a friendship that requires no effort because it is natural and easy.  That is who Kari was for me, and I miss her so very often. 

We shared a love for music and singing. We both had solos in Freshman Follies at ACU and discovered then that we had the same passion for singing and performing.  We were packing partners on ACU chorus trips, and I remember some funny moments…some inside jokes I won’t share…oh but if she were here to reminisce with me about them, we would laugh and laugh!  I remember a CD she had - all songs from musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and we would listen to it in our duplex and belt out all the songs with enthusiasm!  I admired her love and talent for musical theater, and enjoyed seeing her perform…she truly loved it. 

Kelly, Kari and I were roommates while at ACU, and I have so many memories of the three of us in our duplex, and in the apartment we moved into after that. My dear friend Misty lived  with us for some of that time as well.  So many memories of moments we shared just living life together during those years.  I wouldn’t change it for anything.  I remember Kari so often…as if those days were yesterday, and it brightens my world each time I think of her  - always.  


Love you girl!

Valentine's Day ~ 2012

Love puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and joy in a heart. ~ Author Unknown

Valentine's Day.  The day to celebrate the ones I love.  So to celebrate them...I take their pictures!  :)

The first subject was not very willing.  But we did the best that we could.

He quickly decided his great-grandfather's rocking chair would be more fun to push around the house.

Or turn into a slide.

When I took the 50+-year-old chair away, the Valentine's Photo Shoot came to an abrupt end.

The next subject was much more willing...for a few minutes at least.  And yes, it's probably a little narcissistic  of me to be the one who bought that shirt for him.  But hey, I'll enjoy the props as long as I can.  :)

This is the point when the picture taking got old...

So I demanded that he absolutely stop smiling this very instant...

During the day, Tate delivered roses and handmade cards to all of his preschool teachers.  We had an extra rose, so I asked if there was a girl who happened to be a friend that he would want to give it to.  (And no...he will never be allowed to be "The Bachelor.")  So with his extra rose, he chose our sweet friend, Annie.  Oh my goodness, this was cute to watch.

First off, he had to inspect exactly where those pesky thorns were.

Waiting...

Happy Valentine's Day, Annie!

Here's a card and a flower!

Now I'm not sure what to do...

Seriously the cutest thing ever.  And I'm sure they will seriously be embarrassed when they see this in a few years.  Arranged marriages are still OK, right?

The night was wrapped up with the annual heart pizza, my favorite cinnamon swirl bundt cake, and complete meltdowns by the children at the dinner table.  Oh, the joys!  :)

And even with meltdowns and exhaustion (mine!), the day was a wonderful reminder of the incredible blessings I have to love.  Especially this one...

And just for historical purposes of the same shirt & chair, I can NOT believe this was Valentine's Day just three short years ago.  There is no way that he was just that little.  Sigh...