We met during the fall semester of 1997. I was a junior in college and she was a freshmen. She is one of those girls who I’ve always liked but haven’t always known well. And then one day a few years ago when I was isolated from the outside world because I was home nursing twins all day or something like that, she told me about her blog. (Here she is last fall in NYC. Her husband took this photo and I kindly stole it from their flickr site.)
I didn’t know much about blogging, so she explained it to me, as she had been blogging since February of 2004. That’s right. 2-0-0-4. I think in blog years that makes her like, 68. So wise in the ways of the blog, that one. I looked her up and discovered another side of Kari that I hadn’t known before.
I was immediately drawn to her vulnerability, insight and dry humor. The parts of her personality I already enjoyed were even more vivid in her writing, like a favorite book marked up with a hi-liter. I love learning things about my friends in real life that may never come up in conversation but are communicated naturally on a blog. Her voice inspired me to find my own, and I am thankful to her for that.
She is a reader of real books. One hundred and fifty-two of them last year alone. She often reviews them on her blog. She hosted a party for the series finale of Gilmore Girls and gave away fantastic prizes, including a Rory and Lorelai CD mix. She loves the farmer’s market and makes pies from scratch. Her husband is a teacher. She does not like dogs or card games. She is a firm supporter of not washing the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. She has faith in God and believes he is big enough to handle hard questions.
Kari is also a writer. When you are a reader and a writer and you blog consistently over four years, your blog is bound to reveal growth and insight that only reflections over time can bring about. That is one of the many things I love about Through A Glass, Darkly. Each time I read one of her post I do one of three things: laugh, cry or nod my head in agreement. I encourage you to check out my friend in real life.
i couldn’t have picked someone more perfect for you to feature. congrats miss kari!
love her!
She’s such a cutie and I love her current post about ice breakers. Just like in church where they make you stand up and ask your neighbor a question. HATE that. It’s like they think we are complete nincompoops and can’t think of our own question to ask someone.
Emily~ Thanks for stopping by Hokey Pokey life and for your kind words…they went straight to my heart, and I do sense that I am His beloved.
Blessings
What a great tribute, if you will.
Wow, how fun! Thanks, Emily! This was a nice surprise to wake up to on such a rainy morning.
Yes, Kari deserves her day in the sun. She should win some kind of award for blogging for over 4 years now. Kari, you’re the coolest!
hey sister, I wrote that comment up there at 4 am when I was up with each one of my boys 2 had tummy aches and all were afraid of the storm.
When I read that comment again it sounded mean and whiney. Sorry. I will say that I even have told that to my own husband who used to work in a church and was the one at times to make up those dorky questions and tell people to “speak” to one another. No more commenting in the middle of the night.
Kari, i have a keen ability to make every comment about myself. It’s a sickness.
Oh, yea for Kari – can’t wait to go laugh, cry or nod my head in agreement, and since I have told myself I only get to comment at five places, you are my first.
Great feature! You should do this more often!
I’ll go check her out right now…any friend of yours must be pretty cool.
Hey! Sorry I missed your featured day. I absolutely love your blog!
so glad you featured your friend! I hope I have just one friend who would speak about me so encouragingly. I will def go visit her-
What nice things to say about your friend. She is lucky to have you in her life as well.
going to check her out now. she sounds great.
Thanks for the tip, I will visit her for sure!
-Carrie
you forgot to mention how cool she to host a church ladies poker night. that – and her book list- won me over a while ago
aw! How sweet are you??? If her blogs are half as good as yours, I will adore them!
you should check out my sister’s awesome new blog. she even has a post about you!
http://reigningitin.blogspot.com/
I was drawn to the title of her blog and have hopped over there once before. She sounds great—and looks really good for blogging since the dinosaurs were around
!
Emily, I'm so sorry I missed your SITS day! Checking in now, a little late for the party. I had taken some time off from my computer…just trying to enjoy the last days of Summer & first day of school with my kiddos.
I'm gonna go check out Kari. I didn't even know what the word blog meant way back in 2004!!!
my absolute favorite thing about blogging is that you learn things about people you would’ve never know before.
I can’t wait to go check out your friend. I am so glad she introduced you to blogging, as I truly enjoy your little spot here.
#1 Will you make out with me?
#2 I’m off to check out your friend and I already love her too.
I love finding new people to read! I’m hopping over there and definitely marking you down as well!
I’ll have to go check this out–thanks for sharing your sweet friend with us!
Blessings!
Left you a little award over at my place…
http://www.octamom.com/2008/08/and-now-i-feel-like-senior-class.html
Blessings!
so much fun! my sis in law got me more into blogging…and i love her for it! and, i love ur friends’ pic!!!!