North Carolina is one of the states that I wish were closer to Massachusetts.
One of the primary reasons for this is the Larson family.
Kathy was the college intern for my church youth group while I was in high school. Now our families get together every year or two.
Typically this happens where they live, in North Carolina, but this January we had the opportunity to spend that time in Florida.
We watched our girls catch up right where they had left off, as we did the same. We enjoyed palm trees without passports and sunsets after which people clapped.
Three out of the five children could swim, and the hot tub served as a makeshift kiddie pool. We discussed careers and theology, ate hot dogs and homemade waffles cones.
Kathy has been a constant in my life, an encourager of my faith, the kind of person I didn't fully appreciate until I had my own children, and realized how much I hoped they would have the same. I pray that throughout their youth and adulthood they will have such relationships and I continually give thanks for mine.
