Mela Kamin – What I Say in between Songs

Oshkosh, how we missed thee

I’m blogging in reverse. There’s so much that’s happened and because I’m a procastinator busy Mom, I haven’t gotten it down anywhere. We have photos, of course, which is great, because my memory is not. My parents often bring up events I never seem to remember. I tease them that I blocked out most of my childhood. Probably more accurately is that my childhood was so full of fun events, trips, activities, awards and firsts that I can’t possibly keep them all in the limited amount of space I have up there in my brain. So, we just have to fall back on pictures and people reminding us.

I have the intention to get better at this – this being writing about things as they happen. For now, I’ll bring you back with me until we’ve gotten caught up. Bear in mind, it could take a while. But, we’ll get there.

This Summer I was blessed to be invited to some churches in Wisconsin to share my music and my testimony. One trip, took Greg & I to where it all began – the place where sparks of our relationship first flew. My cousin Amy and her husband Jason, who is a Pastor of a beautiful church in Freedom, Wis., invited me to sing. I was thrilled to be able to visit with them and their sweet kids, see their beautiful home and meet their church family. It had been literally years since we had been in that area.

We took the kids to my parents’ and took that oh-so-familiar drive to the Fox Valley. How many times I had set off on that same route with my laundry bag filled up, textbooks in the passenger seat and pit in my stomach, as I left home again for college.

We had fun pointing out things along the way, both of us familiar with those little towns that pepper the highway, finally getting into the “big town” of Appleton. To think my Mom, brother and I used to pack up and drive an hour and a half to get to the mall there. Yes, we’d actually drive that far to go shopping at real stores. Thrift stores, KMart & Shopko are fine, but sometimes, you just need to go to a good ole’ mall. That always takes me back to the one trip in particular where my Mom got literally ran over inside the Fox River Mall. Now, in the stranger’s defense, my Mom is teeny – seriously small. She’s 5′1″ on a good day and just petite as can be. She’s quiet too, so it’s no wonder that the giant never even saw her. He plowed into her and down she went. I can still see her, as my brother & I turned, falling in slow motion to the squeaky floor. Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt, but we did have a good laugh about it (or at least, my brother & I did). But, I digress . . .

We got to Freedom, entertained the group under the shade of a few tents and some gloriously-beautiful oak trees. We were blessed by the warm welcome. After the performance, we decided to go out to dinner. We were only about 20 miles from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where we graduated and first met. We couldn’t pass up the chance. When would we have the opportunity to come back? We were giddy as we made the trek. We drove past our dorms, Greg’s off-campus houses, took some photos of the buildings and signs. We decided there was no better place to eat than the site of our very first “date.” Well, it was actually a non-date, but ended up being a date, nonetheless.

One of the houses Greg rented, just a block from my dorm.

The building where we had Ad Media

Cut to 14 years ago when we were in college. I was finishing up my last semester. It wasn’t in my plans to meet a guy or start a relationship, so I kept focused on my work and getting out of college. But, God had different plans for me. Enter Greg Kamin. He was charming, handsome, charismatic, outgoing, witty, smart and creative. Yep – all that. I noticed. We had a class together – Advertising Media Planning – Ad Media. We knew each other and talked, even worked on a few assignments together. Plus, we had a mutual friend, Jeff. But, like I said, it wasn’t in the plan. So, we casually flirted as the class went on, but I never dreamed he was actually interested. You have to realize, I was the small town girl who came to college to actually focus on schoolwork and get my degree . . . in 3 1/2 years. I wasn’t about to let a guy get in my way. And, Greg was a big city guy whose personality was larger than life. We were so opposite then.

Then, just two weeks before I graduated, he pours on the charm. He intercepts my ad at the printer. I go to grab it and he offers to help me with it. I’m a words person, so design isn’t my thing. He knew it. I was putty in his hands. He stayed late in the lab to help me fix the ad – and then asked me out. I said no. He asked again. I said no. Finally, he suggested we just go get something to eat (not a date), it was late and we had to eat, right? So, I caved. What was one little dinner (not a date) with a friend from class?

Lara's Tortilla Flats

So, he drives us to Lara’s Tortilla Flats and it’s dark and very quiet. There are only a few others there at this hour and I don’t notice anything besides how good he looks across the table how nervous I am. We order quesadillas and strawberry margaritas. We spend the next hour eating chips & salsa, having dinner and talking. He’s just as charming, witty and smart as I imagined and now he’s looking right at me. I’m done.

We leave and he decides to take us around to see some of the sights of the city – it’s December, I should mention, and it’s cold & snowy. We go to the lighthouse – I didn’t even know there was a lighthouse in Oshkosh – the city sits on Lake Winnebago, so it makes sense, but I didn’t get my nose out of the book much, let alone my body out of the dorm, to ever notice. We get out and it’s beautiful. I think about him kissing me and wonder if I’d let him if he tried. He doesn’t and I’m disappointed, but figure it’s probably best since this wasn’t a date.

We then go to Titan Stadium and he actually gets out of the car and . . . wait for it . . . sleds down a hill . . . in a box he has in the back. I watch from the car – still too reserved to do something so fun and spontaneous. He’s crazy, I think. And, I begin to wish I wasn’t graduating so soon.

He gets back in the car and almost immediately asks me to go to a New Year’s party in Chicago with him. WHAT?! I’m stunned and speechless. I can’t believe he’s asking and I can’t believe I don’t know what to say. I mumble something about having plans with my family. LAME. I needed time to think it through. We eventually go back to our respective homes and I can hardly sleep thinking about this most unforgettable first non-date.

still smitten

A few weeks go by, I graduate (and speak at my graduation) and come to the brilliant conclusion that yes, I would indeed cancel my made-up-plans with my family and go with him to Chicago. That was the start of the many times he’s taught me about doing something bold.

And, it all began . . . at school.

Thanks, Oshkosh.

Have a fun story of how you met your mate?

This way for new friends

What a treat we had last night! I love to meet and greet new people, especially those I admire. So when MckMama said she was hosting an event nearby, I jumped at the chance. I had recently fallen in love with her blog, her family, her writing, her humor, her authenticity and photos … oh my – the photos. Being the wife of a professional photographer, I appreciate really great

Truth be told – before twitter, I didn’t know about MckMama. I saw a bunch of tweets about praying for Stellan. “What’s a Stellan,” I thought? Is that a person, a situation, a company? Being the nosy curious person I am, I clicked on her twitter account, then onto her blog and immediately found myself stalking following the stories and the faith and the conviction. So, of course, actually meeting her was a huge thrill. And, can I just say she’s as witty and genuine and welcoming as she appears to be online.

She gathered us together – us faithful blog readers and some friends who, dare I say, didn’t even know what a McKMama was (GASP!). It was casual and she let us naturally do what women do best – meet each other, share our stories, ask questions, be silly, laugh and forge new friendships and connections. A lot of us were taking photos – can you imagine a room full of bloggers without an equal number of cameras?

MckMama & Mela – name for a duet?

We immediately began girl talk with the other attendees, some traveling great distances to be there. We stepped in and out of conversations. We laughed and ate and salivated over the beautiful surroundings at Mudd Lake Furniture. Even on the coldest night of the season, it was warm and relaxing – we lingered and lounged and stayed past our bedtimes. I don’t know if MckMama knew what big fans we all were, or if she’s just used to that by now. But, I can honestly see why people want a little time with her – she’s charming, speaks humbly of herself and prefers to ask questions rather than answer them – though she did plenty of that too with grace and a non-chalantness that was quite lovely. She made us feel like old friends and for that, we’re grateful.

Bob Kratch – the GIANT of generosity

Bob of Mudd Lake was a delight – just fun and engaging and very hospitable. He’s a GIANT of a man – in size and heart. What a great story he has. He’s an ex NFL player – for the Giants & Patriots. He now runs Mudd Lake Furniture out on his stunning property in Watertown, Minn. and welcomes in all different kinds of groups, for gatherings and events. He hung around with us, answered questions and made us feel really special to be there. He cooked for us, set out a generous spread and even sent my friend Chris Ann home with his famous sauerkraut. Look for more about that on Lovefeast Table soon.

My friends and I had time to reconnect, to share what’s happened in our lives lately and then to meet some new, really neat people. We didn’t know what to expect, but I think we left with lots of ideas and connections, but most importantly, with a sense of gratitude for friendship and community. Thanks, MckMama for making that possible.

I’m not as young as I used to be, but I’m still as competitive. So, it’s not a huge shock that this Summer, I overdid it a little while playing backyard volleyball, fell and broke my wrist. (For the record, we did win the game on that shot.)

Boy, was that a lesson in slowing down … for a couple reasons – I realized how much I use my hand (even my non-dominant hand – try opening the orange juice or snack packs without it, for example) … and what a hard time I have asking for help and feeling incapable of doing things.

After all, I’m used to doing it all and this minor setback made me realize I couldn’t (and maybe shouldn’t anyway).

Still, God made our bodies so marvelously and they heal in a spectacular way. Sure it’s painful and takes time, but it heals. In 5 short weeks, I had my cast off and am now in a removable splint. In two more weeks, I should be arm-accessory free.

Now, I have no excuse to get back to guitar lessons!