Fathering in Faith

Today marks three years since Christina went to be with Jesus.

In some cases, it feels like it’s been forever because so much has happened in those three years. In some cases, it feels like it just happened. I’ve had quite a few people ask me how I’m doing with today, and it honestly feels real jumbled this year.

I think I decided that how I could best write today is to take time to write down some of my favorite memories.

Christina and I met online. eHarmony. We ended up getting a free gift from them when we got married. We chose a onesie that said “eHarmony baby.” We thought we were gonna make use of that within a year before realizing we’d have years of infertility ahead of us. But when we started dating long distance from Kansas City to Owasso, we first got to know each other over Skype cause regular video calling wasn’t happening yet haha. Then I remember as a gift, Christina gave me a phone cover she had made that had a map of our route we drove to see each other.

We both grew up watching Disney movies and loving their music. The first Disney movie we saw together was Frozen when it first came out.

I remember how Christina felt being complimented by Dr McAlpin when he served at Tower View Baptist Church as an interim pastor. He made her feel welcome and cared for. And honestly several years of ministry where people didn’t understand her auto immune disease keeping her out a lot, or people not understanding her desire to be in the nursery over the youth. With all those, the care from Dr McAlpin was a blessing to us.

I remember getting our first house and filling it with memories, especially with new pets coming into our home (Izzy and Finn). When Izzy got neutered and Christina laid next to her for hours because she felt so bad.

I remember moving to Baytown and the wonderful hospitality of the Glasscock family who took us into their in home suite for several months before we could find a place.

I remember us starting a small group in our home and making some sweet friends that would be such a blessing to us, especially in the COVID season when we had to limit the amount of people Christina could be around to stay clear of sickness.

While we were at that home, we spent countless hours with the dogs walking the bayou trail behind our house.

I remember how God provided for us so much during our move back to Tulsa. With the Carsey’s helping watch Ramsey a lot while Christina worked and I packed. With Joel, Zach, and Alan helping me load everything up and Joel drove 12 hours with the uhaul and unloaded with me as well.

I remember us watching Ramsey’s first steps in that apartment when we first got back to Owasso.

Then so many memories when we moved into our final home before she would pass.

Ramsey riding his balance bike for the first time around our dining room table. Hours playing in the dirt in the front and back of the house. Him starting to talk and Christina teaching him so many words and concepts. Playing in the rain and puddles as much as possible.

Throughout all of those times, it’s the small things I enjoyed so much with her. The little joys of going to the Warren theatre for date nights, watching every episode of Friends probably 10 times, going to band competitions, playing board games with friends, and laughing at our pets doing something ridiculous again.

As time continues, I probably grieve the most of things she misses. Seeing Finn have a new bestie in Vinny. Seeing Ramsey continue to do well at school, seeing Leo still kicking and meowing at us to roll over on our backs so he can lay down on us the exact way he wants haha.

We love and miss you, Christina!

For those reading this, please comment your favorite memories of Christina on whatever social media platform you see this on. I would love to read them all so tag me in it as well!