The Newlyweds

 Part 1 May 2021

Spencer and Krissie began dating in the fall of 2020 and everything fell into place. Their second date was at our house while Spencer was quarantined because of a covid exposure. She had already had it so we deemed it safe for her to be here. She was here several days each week at first and then daily. Their relationship and their love seemed so natural. Nothing was ever forced or feared.  There were few opportunities to go out and about due to the circumstances surrounding a pandemic, so they got to know each other in our home, playing video games, watching movies, and talking. They would eat dinner with us. It was natural and I loved it. I grew to love Krissie almost as much as Spencer did! 

Krissie adores my son and my momma heart nearly bursts to see the way she looks at him. She is kind and witty and intelligent and gentle and strong all rolled up into a tiny five foot one inch package. She is the third of nine children and has a mom, dad, stepmom, and grandparents. I adore them all! Both of her parents were only children. She has had some health challenges and has mourned the recent loss of her grandfather to whom she was very close. She fits right in with our family and I have told my other children to follow suit when choosing a suitor. 

Spencer is a loving husband and has handled caring for his wife, going to school, working and starting up with racing again with surprising calm and confidence. He was ready for this next step in his life and it truly is a joy to welcome Krissie into our family and watch the two of them navigate the deep waters of newlyweddom. They are poor, living in about 150 square feet plus sharing a kitchen with Krissie's brother and his wife. They are happy and they are truly building a life together. Krissie has jumped in with both feet with racing and gaming as well as embracing Spencer's friends. They live close, and since Spencer works for Destry we get to see them often, even if only briefly. 

 Part 2 January 2022

They have had more than their share of challenges. They have had to jump into the deep end of the medical insurance pool. Getting medications for Krissie's Crohn's has been challenging coupled with her recovering from a concussion. She was able to go to an intensive week-long therapy called cognitive fx. She met people from around the country and the world and she said that if the treatment had not helped at all, that meeting people who can fully understand her experience was enough. The good news is, however, that the treatment did help. She is not "cured" and she still has months of "homework" ahead of her, but she is well on her way. It is a blessing for sure and we are all so grateful that she will have some relief from the trauma her brain has suffered. 

The two of them have since moved into her dad and step-mom's basement. They would like their own place, but rent is so expensive right now that they are grateful to have a room with a roof over their heads. 

This is new territory for all of us. They are getting adjusted to a life as a married couple and Destry and I actually have no idea what our role is, but are trying to figure it out. My kids have a sister-in-law, which is new to them. Krissie's parents are wonderful and we have all enjoyed watching this new family take shape. We are all trying to be supportive and have done a good job of sharing them, I might add. I think they are doing a great job of spending time with everyone who wants to have them around. I can easily say that I didn't lose a son, I gained a daughter and I couldn't be more grateful!