Katie

Like a good neighbor, Katie is there. I remember so very well the first time Katie entered into my life. I had spent all day moving into our new home and was exhausted. I heard a knock at my door and saw a flash of hot pink standing there. Blond hair, bright smile and a hug welcoming me to the neighborhood. She sat on my front room steps and chatted with me for a while and I knew, Katie was going to be an amazing next door neighbor. Over 5 years have passed since that first visit and we have had countless since then. In her front yard, in her home or mine, or just simply in passing. Before I had my own kids, I spent alot of time with Katie. When John would go to work, I would go to her home and just watch in awe because of the type of wife and mother she is. I have NEVER met anyone as organized and put together as Katie. I would watch her night routine with her small children (who are not so small anymore!) I learned alot about child care from Katie and use to this day some of her trademark child care routines and schedules. She made me feel accepted and welcomed, even though I had no kids at the time. As time went on in our busy crazy lives, I have had the privilege to see Katie in a light only those close to her would be able to see and the same goes for her about me. Seeing her in a cheetah print robe at 8 am to get her morning Diet Coke from the garage, me answering the door looking horrible and not caring because it's just Katie at the door, watching out for each other's packages from UPS, many borrowed cans of food and recipes, being pregnant together, and best of all, just seeing her live her life. My gosh, this woman never stops. She has perfected the art of homemade meals. I remember one day I called to borrow a jar of spaghetti sauce and she informed me that she makes her own! Not to mention grinding her own wheat to make her own bread! Freezer meals (didn't really get the concept of those till I met her) decorating, CLEANING (soft scrub with bleach is my favorite since she introduced me to it!), child care and discipline- I have come to her with so many questions and have always walked away feeling like I could take on anything my kids threw at me because Katie said I would.

At first glance, one might feel intimidated by this miraculous woman because of all she does, all she sacrifices, and all she is. You are soon surprised because of how open, kind, and honest she is. She has saved me and comforted me in times of my life when I thought no one else would understand. When I had my first child, I was home and terrified. I had a c- section and was confused, bewildered and just plain scared. Katie came over and held me as I wept. I remember not wanting her to ever leave. I remember seeing her tear filled eyes at my door after her sister had moved out of state. After those tender moments, I felt truly connected to Katie. I feel so very blessed to have such a strong, smart, and most of all, human woman living across the street from me. I fear the day that she will move away. No one will be able to replace her. In a world of judgment, feeling inadequate, and having to feel like the perfect mom and wife, I feel that Katie was meant to be apart of my life at this moment. She reminds me what is real and what is true. That no one really has it all together, that no one is ever really perfect. That we are all just trying to get by alive with all our clothes on! She makes me smile and makes me laugh. I love how she wears only black or white, I love how she adores and sacrifices for her kids, I love her laugh, I love how no matter how many days it's been since I saw her last, we pick up where we left off, I love that she can help me when I lock myself out of my house, I love our late night Canasta games with our spouses, I love how predictable and outgoing she is, I love how much she loves my own kids and takes interest in me, but most of all, I am glad I have met her, know her, and get to be around her.. I love you Katie. You are my inspiration!!!