Who I Am- Part 3: Primary Relationships

Cascadian Dreams

Who I Am- Part 3: Primary Relationships

I'm a breeder.  I have not always been a successful breeder, but recently my family became three from the efforts of two. Yes, I'm talking about sex. 

The Schultz's (L to R) Kelly, Kelvin and Michael 

This is my wife Kelly Elaine Schultz, and my son Kelvin Herald Schultz.  It was partially the desire to have a record for my son of the life of his father that made me want to create this blog.  We've yet to get him a Cascadian onesie, but we will eventually make that happen.  But, first things first.  

Love

Kelly Schultz- Born 03/28/1978  Total Aries. 

My wife and I met in 2001, working for OSPIRG canvassing.  She was often my field manager, and we'd sit by the car after dropping the newbies off and talk about all manner of things.  She has a bright and sunny disposition and is optimistic about most things. This is a good balance to my more cynical nature. She now works at the Better World Club and is awesome at her job, even when it's annoying. 

I woke up on her couch on September 11th, 2001.  There were explosions on the T.V. and buildings falling down.  I was very confused as to why there was a Jerry Bruckheimer movie on the television, but I found out later it was terrorists who hate our freedom. 

Anyways, three days later Kelly and I were officially a couple.  September 14th, 2001 was the official start of our relationship.  This September, we will have spent 12 years of our lives together. We've gone many places, done many things, and met many people together. 

Early Kisses

How does it go?  First comes love, then comes....

Marriage

Eventually, after many years together, we decided we might as well tie the knot.  We did this on March 22nd, 2008.  It was a very religious ceremony, but there was lots of beer.  Plus, the gift to the Groomsmen was flasks full of Maker's Mark whiskey.  There were some drunk and memorable speeches.  Here was our wedding party. 

Good friends all. 

The ceremony was performed by my dad, who is a pastor with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  There were about 75 people there, friends and family alike. We had friends do all the main parts of the wedding, photography, food, music, all of those things.  It was a community event. 

On our special day!

After we left for our honeymoon night, the wedding party continued and turned into an after party.  I know it was a good wedding because the best man caught his rented tuxedo on fire. We traveled through the American Southwest for our honeymoon.  It was a good adventure, although long road trips are probably not the best thing in the world for our relationship. 

Then comes....

Baby

After a few false starts, Kelvin came into our life. 

Kelvin Herald Schultz- Born 03/05/2013 at 12:55pm. 

We were trying to have a home birth, but his heart rate was slowing down during contractions and our midwife from Alma Midwifery recommended that we go to the hospital.  At the hospital, complications continued to present themselves and Kelvin was born by Cesarean Section.  He was held up, covered in blood and screaming.  It was pretty epic and primal. 

I was lucky enough to get some time off when he was born and we had amazing support from our community.  He is a healthy baby now, and he's beginning to smile.  Here's his latest picture. 

I know I'm biased, but isn't he just the cutest? 

Today is the first mother's day for me and Kelly in years that's not a little sad.  Kelvin's face is the face of victory.