JUDI!

When Bryan and I were dating, he would often mention the Callahan family. He would talk of Ted, Judi, Dana, Michelle and Shannon as if he grew up with them. I came to find out that he did.

I don't know if it is southern style or just good people, but in Lexington, people care. They just don't say they care, they show it. The day we moved into our home in Lexington, Dana Sartin and I were unpacking boxes in the kitchen. In from the back door came Judi (Dana's mom) with a cooler full of diet coke and right behind her came Miss Mary with a basket full of gourmet sandwiches and the best ever pimento cheese dip. They hugged on me and talked of how happy they were that we were home. Once you have lived in Lexington, it will always be home.

I met Judi on July 4th, 2000. My first visit to Lexington to meet the family and friends of the man I hoped would be proposing soon. When I am nervous I tend to stay busy. I quickly found myself in my future sister in law's kitchen doing dishes. This was much more comfortable than having to make small talk with strangers.

Judi came in and just struck up conversation with me. I was nervous. This woman had a certain heir about her. She was sophisticated, southern, and sassy! Everyone said she was my future mother in laws best friend, but they were nothing a like. After a bit or q & a a little Asian woman came in and joined the conversation. I could tell these ladies were tight. They talked over one another like sisters. They praised me up one side and down the other. I believe God sent them into the kitchen that day to give me a good dose of what I needed.....admiration.

As my life as a Strader began to evolve, my life as a adopted Callahan started. Judi was married to Ted. Ted, a successful businessman always let Judi have the stage. Not that she was performing, she just had things to say and Ted didn't. He was quite content to fall asleep in the chair as his wife and daughters carried on around him.

One of my all time favorite movies is Jane Austin's Pride & Prejudice. For all you JA fans out there, the Callahan's are a modern version of the Bennett family. With that said, Judi was not like the crazy mother, but the daughters pretty much fit the bill.

The Callahan girls grew up with the Strader kids. They vacationed together,went to college together, and stayed in a very tight circle. Bryan would love to hang out with the Callahan's and as I grew to know him better it was easy to see why. Bryan loves to be entertained by people and the Callahan girls never shut-up. They are an extremely fun group to be around. They will have you laughing, crying, dressed properly, fed well and counseled all in 1 day.

Their mother Judi had an incredible impact on my life. Judi passed away suddenly 7 months ago. So sudden that Bryan and I didn't have time to see her. I still feel like she is alive. Living in Cincinnati, I don't have the pain of missing her daily absence. I have so many moments where Judi either softened my heart, toughened me up, or just filled me with hope and mocha lattes. The moments wouldn't mean as much to those of you reading this so I will keep them tucked away in my heart.

Dana (Judi's oldest) and one of my dearest friends, requested that people write about her mom so she can compile the stories into a book for her Father. You see, Judi died way before we were ready for her too. She had so much to teach us, but somehow through her death I must believe that God will teach us even more. Hopefully we will figure it out someday. She is deeply missed and deeply loved. I have put off writing this because of my own heart break. It is easier to pretend she is alive, just like it was easier for me to wash dishes.

For all of you who have a Judi in your life, take the time to have memories and mocha lattes.