Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Birthday Girls

March 11 brings us two birthdays to celebrate--our daughter-in-law Katie and LBeau's sister Mary Katherine.

When I first met Katie in March of 2005, I had no idea that she would become a part of our family. Brent may have had an "idea" in the back of his mind, but they were just friends at that point. They came through Birmingham on their way back to Jackson with a group of friends who had traveled to New York for Spring Break. They had driven through the night and arrived at our home just in time for breakfast. Katie and Brent were both feeling the effects of a stomach bug, so I really didn't get to visit with her much.

But once the "idea" became a plan, things moved quickly, and Brent and Katie got married on Bainbridge Island, Washington, December 30, 2005. In our family of men and boys, it was so nice to finally have another girl, and I think one of the best times Katie and I have had together was shopping for girl things this past Christmas.

I actually met Mary Katherine before I met LBeau. In fact, she set us up with a blind date, a story in itself that I'll save for later.

Mary Katherine has been my sister for more than 38 years now, and we've had some good times together--summers at the lake with our children, football games in Dallas and Fayetteville, a basketball tournament in Nashville, and family weddings and birthdays.

Happy birthday to both of you. When it comes to family, I certainly got lucky.

6 comments:

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Happy Birthday to both of these Young ladies. Did you mean Jackson, MS. Does Brent and Kathy live here?
Molly

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Sorry I meant Katie...not Kathy...

Candy said...

Where does Kathy Olson teach? Name doesn't ring a bell but sometimes I just don't hear very well...the bell that is! Does she sell her art? If so, where?
We have been here since 1986 but not always in the main stream of things.
Off to Austin today...take son to school and thrifting.
candy

Simply Debbie said...

DEAR KATHY,
I LOVE HEARING ALL THESE LITTLE SNIPPETS OF YOUR LIFE. IT IS LIKE PEEKING IN THE WINDOW AND GETTING LITTLE GLIMPSES OF YOUR LIFE. I LOVE IT.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE THE BIRTHDAY GIRLS.
I JUST NOTICED TODAY YOU TAUGHT SCHOOL....MY DIL TEACHES....MY SIL TEACHES(2).....MY MIL IS RETIRED TEACHER....MY AUNT IS RETIRED TEACHER....MY COUSIN AND HER HUSBAND ARE BOTH TEACHERS AND THEIR DAUGHTER IS A TEACHER....I WAS VERY ACTIVE IN THE PTA BUT I WAS A NURSE.................
BLESSINGS TO YOU
debbie

Valerie said...

How wonderful to have a daughter-in-law to love! Since I have a son and a daughter, I am hopeful that I too will have a daugheter-in-law to love. (Okay...true confession here...I was somewhat disappointed to learn that I was having a boy b/c I always had visions of matching hairbows and coordinating dresses, but now have horrible guilt b/c I love, love, love having a BOY so much!!!)

My sister and I are so close; we talk sometimes 3 or 4 times a day! Anyway, happy birthday to both of these ladies. BTW, I love your SIL's name! (My daughter is Mary Catherine.)

Lisa Ring said...

Hmmmm...I love this post. Katie is SOO lucky to have you as a MIL. As for Debbie's comment...YES, you were an AWESOME teacher; but more importantly, you were a friend, sister, mentor and example. YOU made my high school years great. Journalism was such a highlight, and the New York trip provided such lasting memories. (Oh, and babysitting your now grown babies...)