A Box of History

Today, a package arrived from Minnesota with my name scrawled across the top. It was heavy, but packed so that nothing inside shifted as I brought it up the three stories of concrete stairs. I had no idea what was inside it, nor the emotions that would arise when I opened it.

Opening it not brought the smell of the cabin, a flood beloved memory from my childhood. As much as the Minnesota heat made me miserable, Grandma and Grandpa's cabin was a much loved place. It was an adventure, it was a home away from home. 

Quilts packed everything into place safely. They screamed my grandmother's aesthetic, and smelled like the cabin. Nothing I would ever make, but I couldn't help but love. 

Tears ran freely, I didn't even want to hold them back. Writing this, they run freely again. I can't stop them. I miss my grandmother. She drove me crazy, but damnit if she didn't love fiercely and with a passion that is unrivaled. 

Unwrapping the quilts revealed beautiful baby clothes for our daughter. Gifts I never in a million years would have expected. I would give anything for my grandma to know this little girl. This perfect little girl who has made my life a roller coaster. I don't think she would have approved of a baby in my life this early in my life, but she would have loved Natalia no matter what. She would have loved her because she is part of me. I can't wait to put my daughter in those clothes. I'm sure tears will follow, but beautiful, practical clothing from my family... family I barely have contact with anymore is so greatly appreciated anymore. 

There was a beautiful stool, made by my father when he was in junior high. It matches our nursery set quite nicely and will be a a lovely little thing for Natalia to grow up with. 

The bottom of the box was filled with history. My grandma had saved her report cards, cheer leading pictures, newspaper articles that brought her to life again. This time, not as a grandma, but as a vivid multifaceted person I had never known. A woman I wish I had known. 

Among the papers of my grandma's childhood were things from my dad's childhood also. Pictures of his hockey team, a script from Oklahoma, and Boy Scout paraphernalia. 

I feel honored to have been given these things. It reinforces my place as a historian in this world. I need to go get a proper archival file to keep these things safe in. And to continue to keep the pieces of our family history alive. 

2013- a year in review

I don't write nearly as much as I used to, or should, but as I sat here tonight after an epic cleaning spree, watching David play League I started really thinking about this year.
What a year it has been.

I'm not sure there has or will be another year in my life in which I have reached and celebrated so many milestones and had so many life changing events.

Lets start at the beginning and work our way to now, the Sunday before Thanksgiving 2013. There's still a month left in the year so another post may be necessary (not likely) if anything else occurs. Here we go:

In the late winter/early spring I learned my undergrad dissertation was going to be forever kept in the Marvel archives as a piece of history and academia in the studies of popular culture history. This was huge for me and as many young scholars know quite the accomplishment. It never got formally published, but it will be available for anyone studying the history of women in comic books to read through the Marvel archives.

The Black Widow- Marvel Comics

With two weeks notice I planned and performed my best friend's wedding on February 2nd. I was asked to be her maid of honor, but ended up being her minister. I got ordained through the Universal Life Church, and married my best friend to the love of her life in my parent's living room. Their close family and friends attended the small ceremony and everything was quite lovely. It was such an honor for me and I hope a beautiful memory for all that attended.

February 2, 2013
Katie and Zak

May brought my graduation from Washington State University with my Bachelor's of Art in History. My parents came out to celebrate with me, and I couldn't have done it without them and my amazing significant other, David. It was a long and windy road of jumping from major to major but when I found my passion I knew it. History was my calling- and I was going to teach it someday to the next generation of Americans.

WSU Graduation May 2013

Just a month after graduation I got married to the love of my life, David. We had a beautiful ocean side ceremony with our closest friends and family on Oahu. Two weeks in Hawaii was utter bliss and David and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Our honeymoon was full of adventure and relaxation. Returning to the main land was both sad and exciting. Getting to start our lives together as husband and wife was exhilarating. Upon arrival back in Washington we had a beautiful reception by the Sound and got to celebrate our nuptials with our extended family and friends.

June 3, 2013
Ko' Olani, HI

A few weeks after our return to Pullman from the craziness of nearly a month of wedding/honeymoon/reception excitement we discovered we had conceived our little girl, Natalia. I won't lie- the situation started as shear panic and fear. We hadn't planned on even trying for a baby for a few years so the double pink lines on the test were a shock. As the year has progressed and we have watched my belly grow and felt our baby kick we have fallen more and more in love with her and our unadulterated panic has faded. Don't get me wrong- we have no idea what we are doing, BUT we have an amazing support system and we feel like with my medical history that this may be a beautiful gift that we just hadn't expected so soon. We can't wait to meet our little girl in 2014.

Natalia- 20 weeks

In July I applied for and got hired on at my first full time job as an office assistant at a local podiatry office here in Pullman. Its an amazing job that pays relatively well and the women I work with are amazing. I couldn't ask for a better place to work right now- its very family oriented and relatively laid back. Yes, I spend hours on the phone with insurance companies multiple times a week, but the job is rewarding and I get to help people.

I wish the feet we saw on a daily basis looked like this...

September brought our beautiful healthy nephew, Austin, into the world. We are so happy for Melinda and her husband and wish them nothing less than an amazing adventure. And we hope they'll share some new parent wisdom with us when the time comes! Austin is our first nephew and we can't wait to meet him this Christmas. I'm so excited to be an aunt!

This fall brought news that we were expecting another baby in the family- my brother, Lars, and his girlfriend are expecting their baby in April. No news yet on whether the baby is a boy or a girl but either way we hope they have a healthy pregnancy and a beautiful baby this spring.

This month I legally changed my last name to match my husband's. It was bittersweet, but I do love sharing his name with him. I have always loved my family name, but taking my husband's name was important to both of us. It only took my 5 months of marriage to get it officially changed...

In January of this year I posted "This is my year". If I had known how crazy and amazing this year would be... 

I can't wait to see what next year brings!